Hair's demotion was only a 'corrective measure'

LONDON: ICC President Ray Mali has told the hearing in Darrell Hair's racial discrimination suit against the game's world governing body that demoting the Australian from umpiring at Test level was only 'a corrective measure'.
    
While it was believed that Hair would never officiate at the highest level in future and his contract, expiring next March, would not be renewed, Mali said he put no time frame on Hair's return.
    
"I believe Hair to be one of the best umpires in international cricket but I expected more of him when he did not restart the final Test at the Oval last year," Mali was quoted as saying by British newspaper, The Independent.
    
The paper said when Mali was given the opportunity to clarify or retract his remarks at the hearing going on at the Central London Employment Tribunal, he did not do so.
    
The president, in fact, seemed taken aback by Hair's lawyer Robert Griffiths' stern cross-examination, once saying to him, "I am surprised a man of your calibre would ask that."
    
"I believe Mr Hair to be one of the best umpires in international cricket but I expected more of him when he did not restart the final Test at the Oval last year," said Mali.
    
Hair had accused the Pakistan team of ball tampering in protest of which the players refused to take the field in the post-tea session on the fourth day of their Test against England. Hair then awarded the match to England.