Umpire Koertzen who said sorry to Sangakkara dies in car accident

Kumar Sangakkara leaves the ground followed by Rudi Koertzen who incorrectly gave him out in the second Test against Australia at Hobart in 2007

Rudi Koertzen, who apologised to Kumar Sangakkara for the mistake that prevented Sangakkara from reaching a seventh double-century and extinguished the slim chance Sri Lanka had of levelling the series against Australia in the second Test at Hobart in 2007, has died in a car crash in Cape Town at the age of 73.

Sangakkara, who swept to 192 in a brutal and beautiful innings, missed a pull shot off Stuart Clark and was hit on the shoulder and helmet before the ball floated towards Ricky Ponting at second slip.

The two noises convinced the Australians to appeal and Sangakkara angled his head in disbelief when the decision came. He stood his ground briefly before walking off in disappointment, but exchanged back-slaps with Koertzen after the 96-run defeat.

“Rudi came and said sorry to him,” Mahela Jayawardene said. “But that’s it. Kumar being Kumar was fine with it. He was very disappointed at that particular moment, but when you sit back after half an hour, you know it’s a mistake made by a human and that’s it.”

Sangakkara’s bat was a long way from the ball when it hit his shoulder, but Ponting said he was certain it was out. “We all reacted to the two noises we heard at the time,” Ponting said. “It sounded like it was either glove or bat and up into his helmet. As we all know, things happen pretty quickly on the field, especially when there’s a bouncer being bowled to a batsman like that.”

Hearing the sad news of Koertzen’s demise Sangakkara twitted: “Saddened at the tragic loss of Rudi Koertzen. What a wonderful friend and umpire. Honest, forthright and loved the game. Shared many beers at the bar talking cricket with him. RIP my friend.” (ST)