Rudi Koertzen replaced by Dar

:: Daily Mirror - Sports ::: "South African Rudi Koertzen who was assigned to officiate in the three Test match series between Sri Lanka and England starting on Friday has been replaced by the ICC with Aleem Dar of Pakistan, Sri Lanka Cricket spokesman Samantha Algama said yesterday.

Dar who has officiated in 40 Test matches also stood in Sri Lanka’s last test match against Australia last week in Hobart.

Koertzen who was Dar’s partner in that match made a huge blunder by ruling Kumar Sangakkara out in a controversial decision when the Sri Lankan left hander was on 192. The ball from Stuart Clark brushed Sangakkara’s shoulder, ht the helmet and was caught by Australian skipper Ricky Ponting in the slips. Koertzen upheld the appeal by Australians and Sangakkara missed his seventh test double century by just eight runs.

Koertzen later apologized to Sangakkara but the incident may have resulted in ICC’s decision to change the umpire. Algama refused to comment on the matter and it was unclear if Sri Lanka Cricket had protested the appointment of Koertzen for the coming series. Koertzen had on an earlier occasion too been reported to the ICC by the Pakistan Cricket Board for making controversial comments about the Pakistan team. – (MSA)"