On Thursday the 29th of April 2021, Langton Rusere became the first African to stand in a Test match. Langerz as he's affectionately known in Zimbabwean cricketing circles, was alongside South Africa's Marais Erasmus, as part of the umpires on field for the first Test match between Zimbabwe and Pakistan in Harare. Langton is not new to history making as in 2018 he became the first Zimbabwean ever to officiate in the final of an ICC event.
According to ESPNCricinfo Rusere's international officiating career began in July 2015, in a T20I between Zimbabwe and India, which was also in Harare. He made his one-day international debut a few months later. He's officiated at the Under-19 World Cup, ICC women's World Cup and in February last year, Rusere was appointed as an overseas umpire for the three-match ODI series between New Zealand and India.
DEBUT: Congratulations to 🇿🇼 umpire Langton Rusere on becoming the first black African to stand in a Test match, as 🇿🇼 face 🇵🇰 at Harare Sports Club today. Well deserved, Langerz! 🏏👏 #ZIMvPAK | #OsakaBatteries | #ServisTyresTestSeries | #VisitZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/veCaAQ6Mrd
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) April 29, 2021