Rudy Kerzen dead at 73: Death in car crash, cricket world reacts

“Rudy was fatally injured following an accident near Stilvay, between Cape Town and Gebelha,” said a family spokesman who requested anonymity.

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“My father went to a golf tournament with his friends and was supposed to be back on Monday, but apparently decided to play another round,” his son Rudy told Gqeberha radio station.

The South African team will wear black armbands in honor of Kerzen when they face England in a test match at Lord’s in London on Wednesday.

Kerzen first refereeed in 1981, played his first international match 11 years later, and retired in 2010 after the Australia-Pakistan Test in Leeds, England.

He became known as “Death’s Slow Finger” because he very slowly raises his finger whenever he indicates that a batter is out.

“Every referee has a trademark, and it was mine. The media dubbed it ‘the slow finger of death,’ but I found it very interesting.” There is a story,” Kerzen said in an interview.

“Early in my career as a referee, I used to hold my hand in front of myself and press it against my ribs at every appeal.

“Somebody said ‘Rudy, you can’t do that’. Every time you raise your hand and fold, the bowler thinks you’re going to give him a wicket.

“So I started clenching my wrist behind my back.

His death rocked the cricket world, which was devastated by the news.

Australian great Jason Gillespie wrote: Thoughts are with his family and friends. “

Indian star Virender Sehwag wrote: Om Shanti. condolences to his family. I had a good relationship with him. When I hit a reckless shot, he used to scold me, saying, “Play smart, I want to see your batting.”