Stunned Dickie predicts Hair's fall

London, Aug 26 (UNI) Stunned with the revelations that Darrell Hair asked for money to step down from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, former umpire Dickie Bird said the Aussie will not be able to bounce back after landing in a problem of his own creation.

''It was Darrell's decision to do what he did and it has undoubtedly created problems for him. The hierarchy must make the decision in due course but with that sort of money involved things are looking bad for him,'' Bird told 'Sky Sports'.

''I am absolutely shocked and stunned to hear what is happening and it all takes some believing,'' he added.

Describing the entire ball-tampering furore as ''the most controversial incident in my 50 years in cricket'', Bird said the matter had hurt the reputation of the game.

''It is a very, very sad time for cricket and there is no doubt our great game has been badly hurt. But as in the past, I am sure it will eventually get over it,'' the former umpire said.

The controversial Australian offered to quit the ICC panel for 5,00,000 dollar after the forfeited foruth Test between England and Pakistan, in which Inzamam's side refused to retrun post-tea after being accused of tampering with the ball by Hair.

Bird said it was the biggest controversy to rock the cricket world since the infamous 'Bodyline Series'.

''There have been controversies going back through the history of cricket and the closest would be Bodyline in 1933. But never anything like this,'' he said.

The Englishman had earlier stated that he would have done everthing in his capacity to prevent the match from ending the way it did.

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