Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has congratulated Langton Rusere after he became the first Zimbabwean umpire to stand in the final of a major global cricket tournament.
Rusere was one of the one-field umpires for the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 final between Australia and England that was played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday.
He had also stood in the semi-final between Australia and the West Indies at the same venue last Thursday.
“The Zimbabwe Cricket Board, Management and Staff wish to convey their warmest congratulations to you on your historic accomplishments at the just-ended ICC Women’s World T20 2018 tournament in the West Indies,” ZC acting managing director Givemore Makoni said in a congratulatory letter to Rusere.
“Our hearts were bursting with excitement and pride as we watched you on duty, from the onset of the event all the way to becoming the first Zimbabwean to officiate as an on-field umpire in the final of a global cricket tournament.”
Apart from handling three tournament warm-up games, the final became Rusere’s eighth ICC Women’s World T20 2018 assignment – five of them as an on-field umpire, two as fourth umpire and one as television umpire.
“Being appointed to stand in the final on Saturday and the fact that this was the fifth global tournament at which you have officiated clearly shows the confidence that the International Cricket Council has in you,” Makoni said.
“This is a clear testimony to the dedication and hard work that you have put in over the years.
“We are so proud of you for setting your sights high and making every effort to achieve your goals.
“Thank you for being such an inspiration and best wishes for continued success.”
This was the fifth global tournament at which the top Zimbabwean umpire has officiated, having also taken part in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 held in Zimbabwe and the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 in New Zealand earlier this year.
After making his mark at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2016 in Bangladesh, he went on to do duty at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 staged in England.
Rusere was also a mentor umpire for the ICC World Cricket League Division Two – the qualifier event for Associate teams to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 – held in Namibia in February this year.
This year he was also one of the umpires at the Caribbean Premier League, the second time he was involved in the tournament.
Rusere has not looked back since 19 July 2015 when he stood in his first Twenty20 international match, pitting Zimbabwe versus India at Harare Sports Club.
Three months later, he made his one-day international debut on 24 October 2015 in the match between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
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