Every sport has a referee or an umpire to decide the winner or to control the game, but very few sports are affected the way cricket is hit by a decision by the umpire. An umpire has to look after many aspects of the game. A wrong decision can influence the result of the game in a major way. The biggest challenge for the umpires is to stay fit as they have to stand for the whole day.
Marais Erasmus has achieved a rare feat of standing in 100 first class matches. He achieved this feat when he stood in the third Test between England and West Indies. He is now the second South African umpire to reach this achievement after Rudi Koertzen.
This match is also his 45th Test match. He is fifth on the list of most Test matches as an umpire in the current Panel. Aleem Dar leads the list with 114 Tests. Steve Bucknor of West Indies leads the all the time list with 128 Test matches.
Marais Erasmus has stood in 142 Test matches in all which includes 71 ODI’s, 26 T20I’s and 45 Test matches. In his playing career, Erasmus played for the Boland Cricket Club from 1988 to 1997 as a fast bowler. He took 131 wickets in 53 first class matches at an average of 28.18. Erasmus, also, has a first class century to his name. He scored 103 not out against Warwickshire cricket team.
He made his international debut as an umpire during a T20 match between South Africa and Australia at New Wanderers Stadium on 24th February 2006. His Test debut came in a game between Bangladesh and India at Chittagong in January 2010.
On this achievement Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa, Haroon Lorgat congratulated Erasmus. He said:
“Congratulations once again to Marais as he achieves another landmark in his stellar career, what a special moment it is for him and what better place for him to achieve this milestone than at iconic Lord’s. He continues to be a role model for all our match officials and we are immensely proud of him. We wish him everything of the best on this special occasion.”