January 26, 2006	Thursday	Zilhaj 25, 1426

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MUMBAI, Jan 25: International cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen ranks India-Pakistan Tests ahead of the Ashes rivalry for their sheer intensity. “Nothing gets bigger than this,” Koertzen said when asked to rate the competitiveness of the two famed rivalries. Koertzen officiated in the second Test between the sub-continent rivals in Faisalabad, which featured a large amount of sledging. But the 56-year-old South African, officiating onfield with Simon Taufel, felt it was not that serious.

“As long as these onfield conversations do not harm the spirit of the game, a little banter is always expected in test cricket when the going gets tough,” Koertzen was quoted as saying by The Indian Express on Wednesday.

Koertzen, who stood in three of the five Ashes Tests last year, also umpired in the first Test between India and Pakistan in Lahore, which ended in a draw.

The last Ashes series, which saw England win back the coveted urn for the first time since 1987, also witnessed onfield verbal exchanges. “There was a lot of talk that went on ... it was repartee,” said Koertzen.

Koertzen also stood in seven Ashes Tests beginning in 2001 and four India-Pakistan Tests, beginning in 2003-04, when India notched up their maiden series victory on Pakistan soil.—Reuters