April 20, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 21, 1427

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ABU DHABI, April 19: The first One-day International cricket match between India and Pakistan on Tuesday, marked a significant moment in career of South African umpire Rudi Koertzen, as it was his 150th ODI.

By standing in the game, 57-year-old became only second umpire in history to officiate in that number of ODIs, joining retired umpire David Shepherd in that very select club, an ICC release said Wednesday.

On his achievement, Koertzen said: “When I started umpiring in 1981 I did it just to be involved with the game that I love. I never dreamt I would reach this stage. South Africa's return to international cricket gave me a chance to progress but even then I thought that standing in 50 ODIs would be an achievement.

“But I am a great one for setting myself goals and now I have reached this mark I am looking to see if I can umpire 100 Tests and 200 ODIs - that would be special,” he added.

Almost every umpire has a trait that makes him unique and Koertzen's is his slow and deliberate way of giving batsmen out.

“When I started, I had a different stance with my hands in front of my body but it meant that every time I moved them after a delivery, batsmen got jumpy because they thought I was going to give them out,” he said.

A member of ICC Elite Panel of umpires since 2002, he stood in 1999 and 2003 ICC Cricket World Cups. However, Koertzen is yet to stand in an ICC World Cup final and that remains a burning ambition for him.

“I was third umpire in 2003 and I probably have one more chance to get there (in West Indies in 2007) so I'll be working very hard for what would be ultimate achievement in my career,” he said.

He made his international debut on 9 December 1992 in a match between South Africa and India in Port Elizabeth and since then gone on to become one of the game's most respected officials, also standing in 73 Tests.—Agencies