Marais Erasmus's umpiring era ends in Paarl

An era of excellence ends on Saturday. Marais Erasmus will officiate his final match—a List A game between Boland and the Lions in Paarl. He remarked, "there might be 50 souls and a dog" in attendance.

Erasmus, 62, said, "I'm glad that I've reached this stage. Not that the last two years have been a drag—I've enjoyed the mentoring role. But maybe the motivation to be onfield has died since I did my last Test."

His last international was the New Zealand vs. Australia Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch in March 2024. Since then, he has worked in domestic cricket and mentored upcoming umpires, a role he intends to continue informally.

On retirement plans with his wife Adele, he said, "Very much retirement. We have travel plans… I'm looking forward to watching Test cricket over the New Year, but I don't see myself in an official role."

A decorated career

Erasmus's on-field career included:

• 82 Tests, 125 ODIs, and 61 men's and women's T20Is.
• 14 Ashes Tests, four men's World Cups (including the 2019 final), and 11 T20 World Cups.
• 68 IPL matches, including the 2018 final.
• Seven high-profile India-Pakistan matches, including the 2017 Champions Trophy final.

He won the ICC's David Shepherd Trophy for best umpire three times (2016, 2017, 2021).

Calm under pressure

Known for his unflappable demeanor, Erasmus's competence shone in high-pressure situations. During the emotionally charged 2014 Adelaide Test—Virat Kohli's first as India captain, played shortly after Phillip Hughes's death and without DRS—Erasmus faced 43 appeals. He was correct 40 times.

Controversial moments

He was involved in two notable controversies:

1. 2019 World Cup final: Erasmus and Kumar Dharmasena incorrectly awarded England six overthrows instead of five, a crucial error in a tied match ultimately decided by boundary count.
2. 2023 World Cup: Erasmus upheld Bangladesh's timed-out appeal against Angelo Mathews, making Mathews the first player timed out in international cricket.

A book detailing his career and its controversies is due for publication later this year.

Roots in Boland

Before umpiring, Erasmus was a teacher and a seam-bowling all-rounder for Boland, playing 53 first-class and 54 List A matches for the province and captaining them 17 times.

His final match in Paarl brings his journey full circle—from Boland cricketer to one of the game's most respected umpires.