Cricket world broken hearted by death of iconic umpire Rudi Koertzen

The cricket world has been left broken hearted after one of the most iconic umpires the game has seen was killed in a car crash.

2004 Boxing Day Test. Cricket. Australia v Pakistan. MCG. Day One. Glenn McGrath has a chat with umpire Rudi Koertzen.

Former South African cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen, labelled the ‘slow finger of death’, has died in a car accident aged 73.

“Rudi suffered fatal injuries after an accident near Stilbaai between Cape Town and Gqeberha,” said a family spokesman.

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“My father went to a golf tournament with some friends and they were expected to come back on Monday, but it seems they decided to play another round of golf,” his son Rudi told a Gqeberha radio station.

The South African team will wear black armbands on Wednesday in honour of Koertzen when they face England at Lord’s in London in a Test match.

Ricky Ponting and Rudi. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTON

Rudi and Aleem Dar.

Koertzen first umpired in 1981, handled his maiden international assignment 11 years later, and retired in 2010 after a Test between Australia and Pakistan in Leeds, England.

He became known as the ‘slow finger of death’ because he very slowly raising his finger whenever indicating a batsman was out.

His death rocked the cricket world.

Umpire and long-time colleague Aleem Dar paid tribute to Koertzen: “It is a very big loss foremost for his family and then for South Africa and cricket. I stood in so many games with him. He was not only very good as an umpire but also an excellent colleague, always very cooperative on field and also always willing to help off the field. Because of the way he was, he was also well respected by the players.”

Australian great Jason Gillespie wrote: “RIP Rudy- very good umpire, nice man. Thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Indian star Virender Sehwag wrote: “Vale Rudi Koertzen! Om Shanti. Condolences to his family. Had a great relation with him. Whenever I used to play a rash shot, he used to scold me saying, “Play sensibly, I want to watch your batting”.”

Saddened at the tragic loss of Rudi Koertzen. What a wonderful friend and umpire. Honest, forthright and loved the game. Shared many a beer at the bar talking cricket with him. RIP my friend.

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) August 9, 2022

RIP to one of the best Umpire in the World Rudi Koertzen 💔🥲🏏. I always enjoyed bowling from his end. Condolences to the family and friends #RipRudipic.twitter.com/WxqbfbDfGG

— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) August 9, 2022

Really sad to hear about the passing away of former umpire Rudi Koertzen. He was one of the sharpest and finest umpires that we've seen. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Rudi. pic.twitter.com/vxfZ3z4BcH

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 9, 2022

RIP Rudi Koertzen

pic.twitter.com/591fUkIu5t

— Rob Moody (@robelinda2) August 9, 2022

RIP Rudi Koertzen, the slow finger of doom. Some of the best umpiring aesthetics I’ve seen pic.twitter.com/XAqTSfDqS0

— Tom Carpenter (@Carpo34) August 9, 2022

“Every umpire has their trademark and that was mine. The media labelled it the ‘slow finger of death’ and I found that pretty interesting. There is a story behind it,” Koertzen said in an interview.

“When my umpiring career first began, I used to hold my hands in front of me and every time there was an appeal, I would fold them against my ribs.

“The someone told me ‘Rudi, you cannot do that. Every time you raise your hands to fold them, the bowler thinks you are going to give him a wicket’.

“So I started clasping my wrists at the back. The finger comes out slowly because it takes time for me to release my grasp at the back.”

Originally published as Cricket world broken hearted by death of iconic umpire Rudi Koertzen