Dubai
International Cricket Council on Monday announced Marais Erasmus as the ICC Umpire of the Year 2021. The top honour sits alongside his successive Dave Shepherd Trophies, won in 2016 and 2017. Erasmus officiated the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand. He has overseen 20 international fixtures across all the three formats in 2021.
Erasmus, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, recently officiated in his 100th ODI, when he took the field in the first ODI between South Africa and India in Paarl on January 19. Commenting on receiving the honour, Erasmus said, "Real honour to win the ICC Umpire of the year award. To be honored by the ICC Match Referees and International test captains is recognition for a year of hard work and I'm pleased to have performed under difficult circumstances with Covid bubbles and long periods away from home".
"A massive thanks to my wife Adele and boys Chris and Geo for their unwavering support as well as ICC Umpire coach Karl Hurter for his support of me and many other umpires," he added.