CSA Mourns The Passing Of Umpire, Shaun George

JOHANNESBURG: It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that Cricket South Africa (CSA) mourns the passing of Shaun George, a stalwart of South African cricket whose contributions to the game were immense and far-reaching.

Shaun’s journey in cricket spanned decades, from his days as a talented all-rounder in the Pre-Unity era, representing Transvaal and Eastern Province in 17 First-Class matches, to establishing himself as one of the top umpires in the world.

His umpiring career was nothing short of exemplary, officiating in over 109 First-Class matches, 171 List A matches, 72 One Day Internationals, and 58 T20 Internationals.

George’s expertise and dedication were evident on the grandest stages, officiating in five ICC Women’s World Cups including the 2017 Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s, a moment that underscored his remarkable proficiency and professionalism.

Beyond his achievements on the field, Shaun was a mentor, a coach, and a beacon of wisdom for aspiring umpires.

As a CSA Match Referee and Umpire Coach, he played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of officials, imparting his vast knowledge and nurturing their talents with extraordinary care and compassion.

CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki, said;

“Shaun’s sudden departure leaves a huge void in South African cricket, and his absence will be felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His extraordinary character, marked by his kindness and generosity, will be sorely missed.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, especially his son Nathan and daughter Tiffany, during this difficult time. May they find solace in the memories of a remarkable man who touched the lives of many through his passion for the game.

“Rest in peace, Shaun George. Your legacy will endure in the annals of South African cricket,” said Moseki.

Source: cricket.co.za

Quinton de Kock: With an HPI of 12.70, Quinton de Kock is the 6th most famous South African Cricketer. His biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Quinton de Kock (born 17 December 1992) is a South African cricketer and former captain of the Proteas in all three formats. He currently plays for South Africa in limited overs cricket, Titans at the domestic level, and Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League. He was named the Cricketer of the Year at Cricket South Africa’s 2017 Annual Awards.An opening batsman and wicket-keeper, de Kock made his domestic debut for the Highveld Lions during the 2012/2013 season. He quickly caught the national selectors’ eye when he starred in a match-winning partnership with Neil McKenzie in the Champions League T20 against the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He also finished fourth on the first-class rankings, despite playing only six of the 10 matches that summer. De Kock made his international debut in the first match of South Africa’s home Twenty20 International series against the touring New Zealanders during the 2012/13 season. He was asked to keep wickets in place of AB de Villiers, who asked to be rested. He has since played regularly for the team at both One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) level. In February 2014, he also made his Test debut for South Africa, playing solely as a batsman. By his 20th ODI match, De Kock had already scored five centuries. He became the fourth player to score three successive one-day centuries and the second player to score four ODI centuries before his 21st birthday. In his 74th ODI, against Sri Lanka on 10 February 2017, he became the fastest player to complete 12 ODI hundreds, bettering Hashim Amla, who had achieved the landmark in 81 innings. Before joining the Titans in 2015, de Kock played domestic cricket for Gauteng and the Highveld Lions. He has also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Mumbai Indians. Although he opens the batting in One Day International and T20 cricket, he primarily bats in the middle order in Test cricket. In July 2020, he was named South Africa’s Men’s Cricketer of the Year at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards ceremony. In December 2020, in the series against Sri Lanka, de Kock captained South Africa for the first time in Test cricket.