Marais Erasmus Named International Cricket Council's Umpire of the Year 2021, Boost for South African Cricket

• South Africa's Marais Erasmus flew the flag high as he was named the International Cricket Council's Umpire of the Year for 2021
• Erasmus has received much-deserved recognition in recent times, culminating in him standing in the middle for the last Twenty20 Cricket World Cup final
• The 57-year-old also reached the 100 one-day international landmark during the Proteas series win against India

South Africa's Marais Erasmus boosted the image of the country's match officials after he was selected as the International Cricket Council's Umpire of the Year for 2021.

Erasmus' reputation was enhanced during the year, culminating in him being selected to officiate the ICC Twenty20 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand.

This was the third time that he received award, in the form of the David Shepherd Trophy, having won it in 2016 and 2017, as reported on SuperSport.com. Erasmus also reached the landmark of having umpired 100 One Day International matches, as per News24.

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Football

The 57-year-old has also officiated in 70 test matches, 35 men's T20Is and 18 women's T20Is since making his international debut in February 2006, as stated in the article.

Marais said via an ICC media statement:

"Real honour to win the ICC Umpire of the Year award. To be honoured 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 Adéle 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."

Lizelle Lee Named ICC Women's One Day International Cricketer of the Year

While Marais Erasmus represented the country's match officials well behind the stumps, Lizelle Lee repped the playing corps in front of them.

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Cricket

As reported in Sports Brief, the Proteas run-machine was named the ICC One Day International Cricketer of the Year for 2021 in the women's category after a stellar year with the bat.

Lee scored 632 runs in 11 matches at an average of 90.28, including a century and five half-centuries. She finished as the highest run-scorer of the year in the 50-over format.