Photo Credit: Cricket Netherlands
After more than 10 years of loyal service, umpire Huub Jansen oversaw his last international competition last Friday. The Dutch (A-) selection played a mutual T20 match on the field of Voorburg CC. Afterwards, the team and the KNCB took a moment to thank Jansen for all the years of loyal service to cricket. Afterwards we spoke with him about his career and the future.
What was it like to finish with this match?
Huub Jansen: Not that difficult. I also said to my colleague; actually these international matches are easier than the league matches. These men are all more experienced and more aware of all the rules, making it relatively easy for an umpire.
Has there been one moment in your long career that you are most proud of?
It was always difficult for Dutch umpires to do ODI matches. I was privileged to be one of the first to do this, which I am very proud of to this day. I have been able to do a number of them and especially the first one was very special. I still remember well the feeling in my stomach when I walked into that field.
Yes? How was that?
Well it was just exciting! You know that the cameras are on, everything is on screen, everything is analysed… Every mistake you make is therefore put under a magnifying glass. But also all good things of course. I also took the time to analyze myself. And it wasn’t bad, thankfully. I thought that was a special moment.
What are your plans for this winter, now that the cricket season is over?
I’m going to make it a very quiet winter, I don’t have any plans right now. In the spring I will look again at what I will do in the context of domestic cricket, whether I will continue with that and how I will do it.
Jansen’s career in numbers:
11 ODI matches
13 T20I matches
8 WT20I matches
