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Tuesday, 22 August 2006, 14:52 GMT 15:52 UK

Umpire Hair denies anti-Asia bias

Hair inspects the ball with Inzamam-ul-Haq Australian Darrell Hair, the umpire at the centre of the forfeited Oval Test, maintains he was correct to penalise Pakistan and award the game to England.

And he dismissed criticism of his past performance officiating Asian teams.

"People who know me know I would not take action unless I really thought it was necessary," he said.

"I have umpired quite a lot in the sub-continent and when the ICC have asked me to do a job I try and do it to the best of my ability."

Hair told Brisbane's Courier-Mail: "I stand by what I have done, but if anything comes out at the inquiry that proves me incorrect I would accept that too."

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif described Hair's record against Asian teams as "pathetic" in his BBC Sport column on Monday.

Hair has attracted controversy in the past with decisions made against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who have asked that he never stand in their matches again.

His decision, along with fellow umpire Billy Doctrove, to penalise Pakistan five runs for ball-tampering on Sunday saw the tourists stage a dressing-room protest during the tea interval.

When Pakistan failed to resume play, the two officials removed the bails to signify the first forfeit in 129 years of Test cricket.

He will appear at a hearing on Friday where Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is charged with being responsible for ball-tampering and bringing the game into disrepute.

"The hard knocks along the way sort out the tough from the weak. At this stage everything is still fine," said Hair.

"I have always taken a lot of pride in my performance and while I am doing the best job I possibly can I am going to continue."

The Bangladesh Cricket Board, meanwhile, has pledged support to Pakistan while India officials say the ball-tampering issue "cannot be ignored".

Indian board secretary Niranjan Shah told the BBC: "We will hold a meeting on it once we get adequate details from the International Cricket Council."



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Related to this story:

How Hair courts controversy (21 Aug 06 |  England )
Rashid Latif column (21 Aug 06 |  England )
Pakistan put tour match in doubt (22 Aug 06 |  England )
Inzamam defiant over Oval protest (22 Aug 06 |  Cricket )
Test charges for Pakistan captain (21 Aug 06 |  Cricket )
Test abandoned after ball dispute (20 Aug 06 |  England )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Brisbane Courier-Mail
Match scorecard
Your say on England - TMS
England and Wales Cricket Board
BBC Asian Network Sport
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