Renowned South African umpire Shaun George announces retirement from the game after a distinguished 20-year career.
Shaun George Announces Retirement As Umpire
Shaun George was born on 25 January 1968. South African former cricketer played first-class cricket for Eastern Province and Transvaal between 1987 and 1991.
After making his first-class and List A umpiring debuts in 2004, George made his international debut in a Twenty20 international (T20I) in 2010. He made his One-day international (ODI) debut the following year.
In January 2018, he was named as one of the seventeen on-field umpires for the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He was later appointed as one of the on-field umpires for the tournament final. In May 2018, he was promoted to the ICC Test/ODI Emerging Panel of umpires.
Shaun George Retirement Statement
“Everyone reaches a stage where they know they’ve had enough and I’m now at that point,” George said. “It’s time to hand the baton over and give other guys the opportunity.”
The 55-year-old was also a standing umpire in 60 one-day internationals (ODI), the last of which came between Namibia and Nepal in Windhoek during December.
“That match is definitely one of my highlights,” George recounted. “But my most memorable moment has to be that first ODI between South Africa and Australia on my home ground St George’s Park (in Gqeberha on 23 October 2011).
“That was quite special, to do it in familiar surroundings of where I grew up with so many people that I knew all around me.
“Overall, I must say, however, that I was afforded a wonderful opportunity through cricket and I am extremely grateful for it. When I started out, I never expected to get to so many Internationals, not forgetting all the local and domestic games I stood in both at home and internationally.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world through cricket, I’ve been fortunate enough to officiate in international matches, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy what I’ve been provided with and I mean there’s plenty guys that may not get to do what I did, so I’m really just thankful to have been involved in something that I love.”
One of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) most respected umpires, he officiated in over 100 first-class matches, 171 List A or one-day games and 206 T20s.
He also was involved in 26 women’s ODIs and 21 T20s, including going to five ICC Women’s World Cups. Among his greatest honours was being the standing umpire alongside Gregory Brathwaite of West Indies when England played India at Lord’s in the 2017 World Cup final.
Pholetsi Moseki on Shaun George’s Retirement
Thanking George for his contribution to cricket, CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki said: “Shaun has been the pillar of the umpiring ecosystem. He brought into his craft passion, dedication, and excellence”.
“These endurable traits have garnered him respect and admiration both locally and internationally. It is through his immense contribution that South Africa’s umpiring enjoys the acclaim it does”.
“We thank Shaun for his tenacity, temperament for the game and selfless mentoring of buddying umpires. His innings have made an indelible impact on us and cricket at large. We wish him well on his well-deserved retirement.”
READ: South Africa’s Theunis de Bruyn Announces International Retirement
