Marais Erasmus draws curtain on umpiring career

Marais Erasmus retires from international umpiring after a distinguished career officiating in top cricket matches worldwide.

South Africa's Marais Erasmus will retire from international umpiring after officiating in the second and final Test between New Zealand and Australia in Christchurch starting on March 8.

The 60-year-old Erasmus, whose long career as an umpire began in 2006, on March 7 announced his decision to retire from Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.

"I have had a wonderful time on the Elite Panel, officiating in some top-class matches around the world and in global ICC events,” Erasmus said ahead of his final Test as umpire.

"I am very fortunate to have continued my association with the game after my time as a cricketer in South Africa and have enjoyed every moment.

While I will miss being on the Elite Panel and the challenges that come with it, I feel it is time for me to step away and look to contribute to the game in some other way." The second Test between Australia and New Zealand will be his 380th as an official — 131 of them as TV umpire.

Erasmus, a former first-class cricketer, was appointed to the Elite panel of ICC umpires in 2010, making him the joint-longest serving current umpire on the list, alongside Rod Tucker.

The Christchurch Test will be Erasmus’ 82nd men’s Test match as umpire, putting him 10th on the list of umpires to officiate in most Test matches.