ICC Umpire Of The Year Award – Marais Erasmus
Marais Erasmus, the former South Africa first-class player, was awarded the David Shepherd Trophy for the ICC Umpire of the Year Award. Erasmus expressed happiness after being awarded the best umpire award and said, “I thank the match referees and the Test captains for voting me as the ICC Umpire of the Year 2016, but the fact is without the support, help and encouragement of my Playing Control Teams, this would not have been possible. As such, it is appropriate that I win this on behalf of all my fellow match officials.
“I would like to thank my wife Adele and my sons Chris and Geo for their support and sacrifices so that I can live the dream of umpiring at the world stage, as well as my ICC coach, Denis Burns, who during the past three years guided me to become the best possible umpire that I can be,” he said.