Officiating over 100 Tests and 200 ODIs is no mean feat. Umpire Rudi Koertzen, who retired recently, tells DNA that during World T20 in West Indies, he realised it was time he made a decision for himself, not just on a cricket field
Did you set yourself a target of officiating 100 or more Tests and 200 or more ODIs?
I never set myself a target of officiating in certain number of matches. I just wanted to be out in the middle, umpiring as many games as I could because I love the game. It so happens that I made it past the 100-mark in Tests and 200 in ODIs and it’s a
lovely achievement to have under my belt.
How much has the game or your profession changed you as a person?
I don’t think I’ve changed too much as a person. I’m still the same Rudi but a little bit more travelled!
Your style of giving decisions always left the bowlers and batsmen with their hearts in their mouths. How did you develop that style?
There was no developing of the style. It was just something that came naturally to me. I don’t analyse my style of giving decisions, I just do it. Well...I just did it!
18 years of globe-trotting, did you ever think of retirement before deciding it finally this time around?
It just came to me this year that I didn’t want to keep travelling so much and I wanted to spend more time with my family and be able to play more golf, go out on my boat and just relax a bit. 18 years is a long time and I decided I was ready to be back in South Africa. I realised when I was in the West Indies for the ICC World Twenty20 that I didn’t want to be on the road any more. I discussed it with my wife Hyla and then took it from there.
Staying away from family isn’t easy, what are the other challenges you have faced during your profession?
I think travelling so much is a major part of the job and it has been tough but you don’t refuse the job of an international umpire for the travel. It’s about officiating at the top level and seeing the best take on the best and making tough calls which are all part of the challenge of the job.
You came under severe criticism during the 2007 WC final. How would you look back at it?
We all learn from our mistakes. It’s in the past now.
Umpires are increasingly coming under the microscope. How do you look at it?
It’s inevitable that our decisions come under the microscope but we make those decisions and if they are incorrect we learn from them.
Your support for the use of technology is well documented, but do you think they are 100% accurate?
Nothing is 100% accurate but I believe anything that can help an umpire to attain better standard is a good thing.
The UDRS system challenges the decisions of umpires. Doesn’t it get insulting in a way?
I don’t think it’s insulting when a player challenges a decision. Everyone is very passionate about the game and if the decision turns out to be a right one there is nothing to worry about. If it isn’t a right decision, the technology will show it and as umpires you can learn from the mistake. UDRS should be there in every series. Somehow, somebody has to come up with a deal and say we will support this, we will sponsor it. I don’t think that’s fair on the umpires because in one Test you get some sort of assistance and in the other one you’re on your own. It’s only going to make it harder for the guys if it goes that route.
Who has been the most delightful partner to officiate with?
That’s easy — David Shepherd. I always enjoyed walking out in the middle with him. He was a brilliant partner.
Lastly, if not an umpire, what would you have been?
I’d like to have been a pro-golfer!
Comments