<p>Former South African umpire Rudi Koertzen, labelled the 'slow finger of death' by the media, has died in a car accident, a family member told <em>AFP</em> on Tuesday. He was 73.</p>.<p>"Rudi suffered fatal injuries after an accident near Stilbaai between Cape Town and Gqeberha," said the family spokesperson, who requested anonymity.</p>.<p>"My father went to a golf tournament with some friends and they were expected to come back on Monday, but it seems they decided to play another round of golf," his son Rudi told a Gqeberha radio station.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/struggling-kohli-returns-for-india-at-asia-cup-1134512.html" target="_blank">Struggling Kohli returns for India at Asia Cup</a></strong></p>.<p>The South African team will wear black armbands on Wednesday in honour of Koertzen when they face England at Lord's in London in a Test match.</p>.<p>Koertzen first umpired in 1981, handled his maiden international assignment 11 years later, and retired in 2010 after a Test between Australia and Pakistan in Leeds, England.</p>.<p>He became known as the 'slow finger of death' because he very slowly raising his finger whenever indicating a batsman was out.</p>.<p>"Every umpire has their trademark and that was mine. The media labelled it the 'slow finger of death' and I found that pretty interesting. There is a story behind it," Koertzen said in an interview.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/ioc-to-consider-crickets-inclusion-in-2028-los-angeles-olympic-games-1133010.html" target="_blank">IOC to consider cricket's inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games</a></strong></p>.<p>"When my umpiring career first began, I used to hold my hands in front of me and every time there was an appeal, I would fold them against my ribs," said Koertzen.</p>.<p>"The someone told me 'Rudi, you cannot do that. Every time you raise your hands to fold them, the bowler thinks you are going to give him a wicket'."</p>.<p>"So I started clasping my wrists at the back. The finger comes out slowly because it takes time for me to release my grasp at the back."</p>
<p>Former South African umpire Rudi Koertzen, labelled the 'slow finger of death' by the media, has died in a car accident, a family member told <em>AFP</em> on Tuesday. He was 73.</p>.<p>"Rudi suffered fatal injuries after an accident near Stilbaai between Cape Town and Gqeberha," said the family spokesperson, who requested anonymity.</p>.<p>"My father went to a golf tournament with some friends and they were expected to come back on Monday, but it seems they decided to play another round of golf," his son Rudi told a Gqeberha radio station.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/struggling-kohli-returns-for-india-at-asia-cup-1134512.html" target="_blank">Struggling Kohli returns for India at Asia Cup</a></strong></p>.<p>The South African team will wear black armbands on Wednesday in honour of Koertzen when they face England at Lord's in London in a Test match.</p>.<p>Koertzen first umpired in 1981, handled his maiden international assignment 11 years later, and retired in 2010 after a Test between Australia and Pakistan in Leeds, England.</p>.<p>He became known as the 'slow finger of death' because he very slowly raising his finger whenever indicating a batsman was out.</p>.<p>"Every umpire has their trademark and that was mine. The media labelled it the 'slow finger of death' and I found that pretty interesting. There is a story behind it," Koertzen said in an interview.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/ioc-to-consider-crickets-inclusion-in-2028-los-angeles-olympic-games-1133010.html" target="_blank">IOC to consider cricket's inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games</a></strong></p>.<p>"When my umpiring career first began, I used to hold my hands in front of me and every time there was an appeal, I would fold them against my ribs," said Koertzen.</p>.<p>"The someone told me 'Rudi, you cannot do that. Every time you raise your hands to fold them, the bowler thinks you are going to give him a wicket'."</p>.<p>"So I started clasping my wrists at the back. The finger comes out slowly because it takes time for me to release my grasp at the back."</p>