Koertzen Bows Out After Dramatic Last Test

Leeds: South Africa umpire Rudi Koertzen said he would miss Test cricket as his 18-year international career came to a thrilling conclusion in the series finale between Pakistan and Australia on Saturday.

The 61-year-old, in what was his 108th and last Test before retirement, had an eventful final session after walking out through a guard of honour formed by the players.

Pakistan needed just 40 runs for victory but a thrilling 65 minutes of action saw Koertzen given some tough calls before Pakistan clawed their way to a three-wicket win.

Koertzen, renowned for his deliberately 'slow hand' method of giving batsmen out, correctly rejected a couple of impassioned Australian appeals before referring a claim for a Mike Hussey catch in the gully to the third umpire, who ruled in Pakistan's favour.

That's cricket. It's an amazing sport and I was so honoured to be part of it and I'll definitely miss it.

I am really looking forward to retirement. I've got a few things in the pipeline but I am looking forward to taking a break and spending time with my family.

Koertzen made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India at Port Elizabeth in 1992. He also stood in a record 209 one-day internationals and 14 Twenty20s.

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West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 2nd ODI South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn 2nd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 27 runs

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