High praise for South African Umpire
South African umpire Rudi Koertzen has received the ultimate accolade from the world's leading cricketers
UCBSA Press Release
28-Oct-2002
South African umpire Rudi Koertzen has received the ultimate accolade from
the world's leading cricketers. In a poll conducted as part of a
questionnaire completed by all the players in the recent ICC Champions
Trophy in Colombo, Koertzen was voted the best umpire in the world (28% of
the votes).
High praise indeed for the 54-year-old from Despatch who is one
of two South Africans on the ICC Elite Umpires panel, (the other is Dave
Orchard). England's David Shepherd was second (25%).
The players also cast their votes for the world's best batsmen, bowler and
fielder, and in the latter category Jonty Rhodes polled the second highest
vote in the entire survey (75%). Australian Rick Ponting was second (20%)
and Herschelle Gibbs third (2%).
Amongst the bowlers, South African captain Shaun Pollock was voted third
best ODI bowler (7%), behind Glenn McGrath (46%) and off-spinner Muttiah
Muralitheran (39%).The Australian and the Sri Lankan were also the top two
bowlers in the Test match vote.
Predictably India's Sachin Tendulkar dominated the batting vote; in Test
cricket he polled 78% to second-placed Australian Steve Waugh (6%), and in
ODI cricket the margin was a little closer - Tendulkar polling 51% to Adam
Gilchrist's 16%.
Cape Town's Newlands ground was voted the third best ground in the world by
the players (15%) with Lord's in London leading (27%) and Melbourne's MCG
second (24%).
The survey was commissioned by the Federation of International Cricketers
Associations (FICA) as part of an information-gathering process.