New Delhi: Famous cricket umpire, Rudi Koertzen passed away after he suffered a head-on collision in a car accident. He was 73. Notably, Rudi was famous for his slow raise of the finger. Before he met with the accident, he played golf at Nelson Mandela Bay. The news of his death was confirmed by his son, Rudi Koertzen Jr. Soon after the news was confirmed by Rudi's son, the condolences messages from across the cricket fraternity started coming on the internet. Rudi Koertzen, one of the formative umpires of my era growing up with cricket. And the owner of one of the best, slow finger raises we’ve ever seen. A master of the art and the theatre that is cricket. pic.twitter.com/jO32Uo1QbA — Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) August 9, 2022 ''Tragic news of the sudden passing away of Rudi Koertzen. He was a gifted individual and one of the finest umpires the game has witnessed, known for his sharp decision making abilities. My deepest condolences to his family and well wishers ?? #RudiKoertzen,'' wrote Yuvraj Singh on Twitter. Tragic news of the sudden passing away of Rudi Koertzen. He was a gifted individual and one of the finest umpires the game has witnessed, known for his sharp decision making abilities. My deepest condolences to his family and well wishers ?? #RudiKoertzen pic.twitter.com/9mV1V09F7a — Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) August 9, 2022 ''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”. One he wanted to buy a particular brand of cricket pads for his son (cont),'' wrote Virender Sehwag on Twitter. 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”. One he wanted to buy a particular brand of cricket pads for his son (cont) pic.twitter.com/CSxtjGmKE9 — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 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 Rudi Koertzen umpire career Before taking retirement in the year 2010, Rudi officiated in 331 international matches, more than 150 ODIs, and stand in 200 Tests after Steve Bucknor. He started his career in umpiring in the year 1981. He stood in his first International match back in 1992, played between India and South Africa at Elizabeth.
