Sport News

Hair steps down as a Test umpire

category: Cricket

23.08.2008 00:26

Hair, 55, has quit to become executive officer of the New South Wales Umpires and Scorers Association.

He was removed from the elite panel following the ball-tampering row that erupted during The Oval Test between Pakistan and England in August 2006.

Hair returned to the panel in March but has umpired in just two Tests, both between England and New Zealand.

Hair will take up his new role on 1 September, but is contracted to the ICC until 31 October.

The Oval Test in 2006 ended in controversy when Pakistan refused to continue amid suggestions of ball-tampering.

The 55-year-old was subsequently dropped from the panel.

He began a racial discrimination claim against cricket's governing body but dropped the case and undertook an ICC rehabilitation programme before his return to the elite panel.

One of cricket's most controversial incidents began when Pakistan were penalised five runs and England were allowed to select a different ball in the fourth and final Test of the 2006 Test series.

Pakistan were incensed, and when they refused to return to the field after the tea interval, Hair and fellow official Billy Doctrove awarded the match to England, the first forfeit in Test cricket history.

The matter was then examined at an ICC hearing in London.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, was cleared of ball-tampering charges but was suspended for four one-day internationals after being found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.

Original text is here

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