ICC bans Hair from standing in any international matches

Mumbai, Nov 4 (UNI) The International Cricket Council (ICC) executive Board today banned the controversial Australian umpire Darrel Hair from standing in any international matches henceforth.

ICC President Percy Sonn, who addressed the media here today after the conclusion of the two-day executive board meeting, said that the executive board took the decision after a detailed discussion on the issue and they came to the opinion of them losing confidence in the ability of Hair and therefore he would not stand in further international matches.

Hair had come under close scrutiny after the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at the Oval wherein he accused the Pakistanis of ball tampering following which the visitors did not come onto the field after the tea break on the fourth day. Hair and his fellow umpire Billy Doctrove of West Indies then declared that Pakistan had forfeited the match and announced England to be the victors.

The ICC then held a sitting with Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle hearing both Hair and the Pakistanis. Madugulle ruled that the Pakistan were not guilty of ball tampering.

Mr Sonn said that a detailed report was presented to the board which including the findings of the Madugalle committee and they decided to termninate the contract of Hair which would have run upto March 2008.

The President of the ICC said Malcolm Speed, its chief executive and Dave Richardson, Manager Cricketing Affairs would meet Hair and discuss the situation with him and see how they can give a honourable exit to him as he has been one of the highly competent and respected umpires the ICC has had.

UNI GS PM/OBB DH BD1910