Hair ready for Test comeback

Controversial Australian ICC elite umpire Darrell Hair will make a comeback to the Test arena on Friday for the second of Englands three-match series against New Zealand.

London, May 21 : Controversial Australian ICC elite umpire Darrell Hair will make a comeback to the Test arena on Friday for the second of England's three-match series against New Zealand.

It will be his first appointment at top level since the forfeit between Pakistan and England at The Oval in August 2006 and the 55-year-old hinted he might feel some nerves.

"I think the decision-making ability is still there, the only thing that could change that is a lack of confidence because I haven't been out there," The Telegraph quoted Hair, as saying.

"Provided I get the right processes and triggers into place in my technique on a ball-by-ball basis, I'm confident I'll be able to make the majority of correct decisions," he added.

Hair will also officiate in the third Test between England and New Zealand starting on June 5.

He was dropped from the International Cricket Council elite panel of umpires after declaring the first forfeit in 129 years of Test cricket.

Hair took on the ICC to an employment tribunal last October, claiming racial discrimination was behind his sacking.

He complained that West Indies umpire Billy Doctrove faced no sanctions despite also standing in the Test at The Oval.

A week into the tribunal hearing, Hair dropped the case and agreed to undertake a "rehabilitation" programme.

ANI