ICC reinstates Hair as Test umpire

Dubai, Mar 19 (UNI) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reinstated Darrell Hair as a Test cricket umpire and has been included in its elite panel.

The decision was taken here yesterday in the ICC's board meeting which said, ''the ICC has decided that Darrell Hair will be apponted to umpire matches involving full member teams.'' However, his position in the elite panel will be reviewed at the end of March 2009.

The Australian has not officiated in any major match since the infamous Oval Test in 2006, when Pakistan refused to continue their match against England amid his claims of ball-tampering.

Hair accused the Pakistan team of ball tampering and when the team refused to take the field after a break, he and fellow umpire Billy Doctrove awarded the forfeit.

The 55-year-old was suspended after demands from the Pakistan Cricket Board, who together with other subcontinental cricketing countries, accused him of racism and bias.

He was subsequently removed from the ICC's elite panel and was told he would not be appointed to top level games.

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