Umpire Hair quits ICC's elite panel

MELBOURNE: Controversial umpire Darrell Hair, who was reinstated by the International Cricket Council (ICC) this year after being dumped following the Oval Test fiasco, has quit the world body's elite panel.

Hair returned to the international umpiring panel in March but has since been awarded only two Tests. With no more Tests on the horizon, Hair has quit to take up a position as executive officer of the New South Wales (NSW) Umpires and Scorers Association, according to a report in The Australian on Saturday.

Outgoing NSWUSA executive officer Peter Hughes confirmed Hair's appointment, saying he would work in a training and development role. Hair will begin his new role in 10 days.

"Darrell will concentrate on what he will do best, mentor, coaching and getting umpires up to a higher level," Hughes said.

Cricket Australia (CA) will recognise Hair as the NSW director of umpiring. He will be based at the NSW Cricket Association headquarters at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Hair is currently umpiring in a tournament in Toronto between the West Indies, Bermuda and Canada. The final match of that series Sunday is likely to be Hair's last for the ICC.

Hair was suspended by ICC following an uproar by Pakistan after he and West Indian Billy Doctrove accused the subcontinent team of ball tampering in the Oval Test during their 2006 England tour.

Hair filed a lawsuit against ICC following which ICC reinstated Hair in the elite panel.