Koertzen calls it a day

Rudi Koertzen will retire from officiating after the forthcoming Test series between Pakistan and Australia, the ICC have confirmed.

South African to bow out after Pakistan-Australia Tests

Highly-respected umpire Rudi Koertzen will retire from officiating after the forthcoming Test series between Pakistan and Australia, the International Cricket Council have confirmed. The South African's final assignments will be the July Tests between Pakistan and Australia at Lord's and Headingley, and will give him a final total of 106 Tests, a record 209 one-day internationals and 14 Twenty20 internationals. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "He is one of the most respected umpires in the game and has always been confident and self motivated yet humble. "His outstanding service to the game and a wonderful career at the elite level needs acknowledgement." Meanwhile, South African Marais Erasmus and Rodney Tucker of Australia have been included in the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires for the 2010-11 season, starting July 1, 2010. The two will replace Koertzen and Mark Benson who stepped down from the elite panel in February.