Darrell
Hair, the Australian umpire, has a reputation for sparking
controversies. He has been involved in a number of infamous
incidents over the past 12 years, all targetting Asian nations.
Here's a look at some of the bitter contests between Darrell
Hair and Pakistan. Not surprisingly, Darrell Hair has emerged
as the winner on all the occassions.
Pakistan vs England at Faisalabad - November 2005
Pakistan,
in command of the second test, were accumulating the runs.
Things seemed dull for the fans. Darrell Hair decided to make
things happen to give the crowds a lift-up. A gentle front-foot
push by Inzamam ul Haq went back to the bowler Steve Harmison.
As Harmison picked up the ball and threw at the stumps, Inzamam
tried to avoid the ball hitting him. The ball hit the stumps
and Inzamam was short of his crease. The players appealed
and Darrell Hair gave him run-out. However, by doing so, Hair
offended a rule from the Laws of Cricket itself. The rule
implies that a batsman cannot be given out in any way if he
is trying to avoid a physical injury by getting out of harm’s
way. Hair, however, was atleast successful in bringing life
into the game with his controversial verdict.
Pakistan vs England at Lahore - December 2005
Danish Kaneria, the Pakistani leg-spinner, was forced out
of the attack by Hair for allegedly running on the danger
areas of the pitch. According to the Laws of Cricket, a bowler
should be warned about his offence. Official warnings are
also issued in this regard. If the bowler continues to repeat
the offence beyond two official warnings, he shall be taken
out of the attack with immediate effect. However, Danish Kaneria
in this case did not receive a first warning, let alone the
second one!
In the same test, a leg-bye taken by Salman Butt was
also denied. Shaun Udal's delivery hit Butt on his pad and
the batsmen crossed for a leg-bye. When Butt reached the non-striker
end, Hair signalled 'dead ball' and Butt had to walk back
to the striker's end. What more, Butt fell leg-before the
very next ball courtesy of a disallowed run.
Pakistan vs England at Headingley - August 2006
On
the first morning, Pakistan seamers came out all guns ablaze.
Darrell Hair was so bewildered that he failed to pick no less
than three edges. The beneficiaries, specially Kevin Pietersen,
went on to score heavily and Pakistan lost the match in the
do-or-die encounter. England once again benefited courtesy
of Darrell Hair’s controversial umpiring in the second
innings.
Pakistan vs England at The Oval - August 2006
The Oval produced the latest in Hair’s collection of
Asian-victims. At the end of the 55th over, bowled by Danish
Kaneria, Darrell Hair changed the ball without informing the
fielding skipper Inzamam ul Haq. He sniffed that the ball
had been tampered with and therefore, also awarded England
five penalty runs. According to the Laws of Cricket, the fielding
captain must be informed in case of a ball being being changed.
Hair, however, did not consider Inzamam worthy of it. At the
tea interval, Pakistan decided to protest by not coming out
after tea. After ten minutes, the umpires returned to the
pavillion with the England batsmen. Pakistan walked out onto
the field 25 minutes later. Darrell Hair was adamant that
Pakistan had forfeited the match by not taking the field in
expected time. He ruled England as the winners, the first
team to win a game by forfeit in 130 years of cricket.
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