Hair might find place in CA international panel

Sydney, Aug 31 (UNI) Faced with the prospect of losing his place in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, Darrell Hair might get some repreive from Cricket Australia (CA), which might include the controversial official in its international panel.

Quoting CA umpire selection chairman Mel Johnson, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Hair may end up on Australia's panel of international umpires, which is a tier below the elite panel.

''Darrell has not done anything wrong and, therefore, there is no reason why he couldn't come back on the international panel,'' Johnson told the newspaper.

If the Aussie loses his contract with the ICC, the CA might include him in their international panel and give him a chance to officiate in the matches featuring Australia.

However, CA communications director Peter Young said the question of Hair's inclusion was ''hypothetical'' as Australia's international panel had no place for him at the moment.

Peter Parker, Steve Davis and Bob Parry (third umpire) have already been appointed and Young ruled out any change in that for now.

''That will not be readdressed for 12 months,'' he said.

Meanwhile, CA's umpire selection panel Dick French has expressed confidence at Hair bouncing back from the controversy but said any decision to include him in the Australian international panel would be taken after consulations with CA.

''Who's to say that he couldn't work his way all the way back? But we would have to take advice from Cricket Australia before we made any decision on Darrell,'' he said.

UNI XC PM DH KN1227