Koertzen set new record for officiating in most number of ODIs

South Africa umpire Rudi Koertzen today set a new record of officiating in most number of one day internationals as he stood in his 173rd match between the West Indies and England in the last Super Eight game here.

In the process, Rudi surpassed the record set by England's David Shepherd.

Koertzen, 58, made his international debut on December 9, 1992 in a match between South Africa and India in Port Elizabeth and since then he has officiated in 80 Tests matches also.

A member of the Emirates Elite Panel of umpires since 2002, he stood in the 1999 and 2003 ICC Cricket World Cups (including the Australia -- Sri Lanka semi-final in Port Elizabeth at the latter tournament, which was his 100th ODI).

He also officiated in the 2002 and 2004 ICC Champions Trophies, the World Cricket Tsunami Appeal match in Melbourne in January 2005 and the Johnnie Walker Super Series Test match between Australia and the ICC World XI in Sydney in October 2005.

Hailing Rudi's achievement, ICC President Percy Sonn said: ''For someone to stay at the top of his game for as long as Rudi has requires incredible commitment and dedication. Thankfully, Rudi has that and his obvious love for what he does is apparent every time he takes the field.

''I would like to thank Rudi on behalf of the ICC for the years of great service he has given to the game through his umpiring and I have no doubt he will continue to excel in the middle for years to come. Perhaps he could become the first umpire ever to stand in 200 ODIs.'' Most ODIs appearances by umpires (correct to close of play on 21 April): Rudi Koertzen 173, David Shepherd 172, Steve Bucknor 161, Daryl Harper 141, Darrell Hair 131, Simon Taufel 115, Billy Bowden 14, David Orchard 107, Steve Dunne 100.

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