Darrell Hair reinstated

DUBAI – Darrell Hair has been reinstated as a test match umpire by the International Cricket Council.

Hair had been banned since November 2006 because of his conduct during a test between Pakistan and England that led to the first forfeit in test cricket’s 129-year history. His return comes after he completed a so-called “rehabilitation programme” handed him in September when he agreed to drop a claim of racial discrimination by the ICC.Hair accused Pakistan 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 Australian umpire, who is white, was angered by the fact that he was banned while black umpire Doctrove largely escaped censure.Nampa-APHis return comes after he completed a so-called “rehabilitation programme” handed him in September when he agreed to drop a claim of racial discrimination by the ICC.Hair accused Pakistan 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 Australian umpire, who is white, was angered by the fact that he was banned while black umpire Doctrove largely escaped censure.Nampa-AP