CA includes Hair in new umpire panel

Sydney, Jul 10 (UNI) Controversial umpire Darrell Hair has been included in the new four-man High Performance Panel announced today by Cricket Australia (CA).

Apart from Hair the panel comprises Ric Evans, David Levens and Bob Stratford. They will facilitate the development and performance improvement of umpires identified in Cricket Australia's high performance pathway.

This will incorporate match review, umpire appointment and selection, management of high performance umpiring, umpire professional development and to assist with the identification and promotion of umpires for future CA selection.

''CA is committed to ensuring the highest standard of umpiring for CA competitions and to enhance and support the development of Australian umpires for international cricket,'' Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said.

''This new panel has a broad range of skills in elite officiating as well as umpire education and management, and will add an important new dimension to CA's development of umpires.'' The key role of CA Umpire High Performance Panel is selection and appointment of umpires within Cricket Australia responsibilities; Provide assessment of umpires within Cricket Australia controlled matches and programs; High performance management of current and prospective umpires for interstate cricket; and work effectively with umpiring stakeholders.

UNI XC CS AB RAI1048