Hair’s appointment raises concerns

Published September 24, 2005

SYDNEY, Sept 23: The appointment of Australian umpire Darrell Hair to next month’s Super Series will revive memories of his calling Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for chucking in Melbourne almost 10 years ago.

Muralitharan has been named in the World XI squads against Australia for the three limited-overs games at Melbourne’s Docklands stadium on Oct 5, 7 and 9 and the Test match from Oct 14-19 at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Hair has been appointed by the ICC to officiate in the second and third ODI matches.

Hair controversially no-balled Muralitharan seven times for throwing during the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 1995.

It caused an international cricket incident and Muralitharan refused to tour Australia in 2004 for the two-Test series in Darwin and Cairns citing hostility from Australian crowds.

The Sri Lankan is second to Australian Shane Warne (623) with 563 Test wickets and only returned to play in Australia last January in the Asian Tsunami charity game in Melbourne.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Friday named Hair, 52, in the panel of four umpires for the Super Series along with Pakistan’s Aleem Dar, South Africa’s Rudi Koertzen and fellow Australian Simon Taufel.

Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle will be match referee.

New technology will be trialled during the Super Series.

A new system of referral and consultation between the on-field umpires and the TV umpire will apply in all three one-dayers and the Test, the ICC said.

“Run outs and stumpings will be referred in the normal way to the TV umpire with the TV umpire making the final decision but in respect of all other decisions, the on-field umpires will have the discretion to consult with the TV umpire before making the final decision,” the ICC said.—AFP

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