Hair to return next month

Dubai, Apr 28 (UNI) Controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair will stage his return next month during New Zealand's tour of England, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said today.

Hair will stand along with compatriot Simon Taufel at Old Trafford in the second Test from May 23-27, his first assignment since he was restored to the elite panel.

He will also stand in the third and final Test starting on June 5 at Trent Bridge, along with Steve Bucknor of the West Indies.

The 55-year-old umpire was dropped from the elite panel after the Oval Test in August 2006 between England and Pakistan.

Pakistan became the first team to forfeit a Test when they refused to return to the field after tea on the fourth day of the match because they had been penalised five runs for alleged ball tampering.

Pakistan squarely blamed Hair for the events and the ICC board removed him from the elite panel. He was recalled last month after undergoing a rehabilitation course.

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