Umpire Hair granted Test return

Richard Gibson,Pa Sport,Abu Dhabi
Tuesday 18 March 2008 12:32 EDT
Comments
Darrell Hair returns to Test umpiring tomorrow for the first time since Pakistan's forfeited match againstEngland at The Oval in 2006
Darrell Hair returns to Test umpiring tomorrow for the first time since Pakistan's forfeited match againstEngland at The Oval in 2006 (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The door was today opened for Australian umpire Darrell Hair to return to officiating in top-level international cricket.

Hair, 55, has not taken charge of a match between high-profile countries since the forfeited Oval Test in 2006 when he and Billy Doctrove penalised Pakistan for ball-tampering.

But during a two-day meeting of the International Cricket Council it was decided Hair had undergone a sufficiently lengthy period of rehabilitation away from the spotlight.

"The board have decided that he can he can be appointed to matches involving full member countries once more," confirmed an ICC spokesman.

Although Hair never left the ICC's elite panel of umpires, his duties were reduced to matches involving associate countries.

Hair brought a case of racial discrimination against his employers, the ICC, with whom he is contracted for a further 12 months, but dropped the allegations just seven days into a tribunal in London last October.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in