2006 ball-tampering controversy

International Test cricket controversy Pakistani cricket team in England in 2006 July 2016 July 2016 250px|thumbnail|England batting on the first day of the Test In 2006, during the fourth day of the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval, umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove ruled that the Pakistani team had been involved in ball tampering. The Pakistani players refused to take the field after the tea break in protest of the decision. After waiting two more minutes the umpires removed the bails and declared England winners by forfeiture. This was the first such end to a Test match in more than 1,000 Tests. The International Cricket Council (ICC), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later affirmed that the decision to award the match to England was in accordance with the Laws of Cricket. After the game, an email was leaked showing that Hair had offered his resignation from the ICC Elite Umpire Panel in return for a non-negotiable one-off payment of US$500,000. Hair said that the ICC had been in negotiations with him prior to the incident. The ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle later acquitted Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq of a ball-tampering charge, but banned him for four one day internationals for bringing the game into disrepute. After the hearing the ICC announced that Hair would not be umpiring at the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy because of security concerns. Hair was later banned from officiating in international matches by the ICC: they stated that although Hair had been banned from Tests, there is "no issue" with the result of the Oval Test match. In the aftermath of the Oval incident, Hair was voted Umpire of the Season in a poll carried out by The Wisden Cricketer, with more than a third of the votes. A leaked ICC report showed that immediately before the Oval incident, Hair was ranked the second-best umpire in the world overall behind Simon Taufel and number one in terms of decision-making statistics. In 2007 Hair announced he was suing the ICC and PCB on grounds of racial discrimination, alleging that he was made a scapegoat when he was barred from officiating Test matches after the Oval Test, as no action was taken against his fellow umpire Billy Doctrove. He later dropped the discrimination case. The ICC restored Hair to the Elite Umpiring Panel in 2008 but he resigned five months later, having officiated in only two further Tests. Incident On 20 August 2006, during the fourth day of the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval, umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove ruled that the Pakistani team had been involved in ball tampering. They awarded five penalty runs to England and offered them a replacement ball. The Pakistani players refused to take the field after the tea break in protest at the decision.https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/aug/21/pakistan2006.cricket Inzamam charged by ICC 21 August 2006 The Guardian The umpires left the field, directed the Pakistani players to resume play and returned once more 15 minutes later. After waiting two more minutes the umpires removed the bails and declared England winners by forfeiture. This was the first such end to a Test match in more than 1,000 Test matches. The Pakistani team did take to the field 25 minutes later – 55 minutes after the umpires first took to the field for a resumption of play – but Hair and Doctrove pointed out that the game had already ended with a Pakistani forfeiture the moment the bails were removed, even though both teams were willing to continue the match. The Test was abandoned, with the match awarded to England.http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/257055.html As the chaos unfolded ESPNcricinfo 20 August 2006 18 August 2014 Reaction The International Cricket Council (ICC), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later affirmed that the decision to award the match to England was in accordance with the laws of cricket.http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/test-farce-amid-tampering-fracas/2006/08/21/1156012437896.html Sydney Morning Herald 21 August 2006 Test farce amid tampering fracas However, it caused much debate in the cricketing world, with former cricketer Michael Atherton criticising Hair for not continuing the game.http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/257055.html Cricinfo – As the chaos unfolded Content-usa.cricinfo.com 20 August 2006 18 August 2014 Nasser Hussain agreed with Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, saying that he would have done exactly what Inzamam did,http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082205541900.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005649/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082205541900.htm dead 1 October 2007 Chennai, India The Hindu Oval decision drives Darrell Hair into a lonely corner 22 August 2006 while Steve Waugh backed the umpires' decision, saying "No-one is bigger than the game. The laws are there for a reason."http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20208381-23212,00.html Fox Sports 22 August 2006 Waugh backs the umpires Michael Holding described the umpires' initial penalty for ball tampering as "insensitive" and said that every law has room for flexibility.http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/258009.html Cricinfo 28 August 2006 Holding critical of 'first-world hypocrisy' Imran Khan called Hair an "umpiring fundamentalist", and commented that "Such characters court controversy",http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/engvpak/content/current/story/257330.html Cricinfo – Former Pakistani players back Inzamam Content-usa.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 while Wasim Akram called for Hair to be sacked.https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/aug/22/pakistan2006.cricket1 The Guardian London Mini Hitler taunts in Pakistan – and bruises for Inzi 22 August 2006 1 May 2010 Osman Samiuddin It was revealed in an ICC news conference on 25 August that after the game, Hair had offered his resignation from the ICC Elite Umpire Panel. In an e-mail entitled "The Way Forward" addressed to Doug Cowie, the ICC's umpire manager, and with apparent reference to an earlier conversation between the two which had not been made public by the ICC, Hair stated he would resign from his position in return for a non-negotiable one-off payment of US$500,000 directly into Hair's bank account. This was to be kept confidential by both teams. Hair was in contract with the ICC until March 2008, and the payment was said to compensate for the loss of future earnings and retainer payments. He subsequently revoked this offer.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvpak/content/current/story/257791.html Cricinfo – Full transcript of emails Content-uk.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 Hair had stated that the suggested sum was to be compensation for the four or more years he would have umpired for had the controversy not happened, which he claimed would be "the best years he had to offer international umpiring". Hair had previously suggested, however, in an April 2006 interview that he might give up umpiring at the end of the World Cup saying "I'm not so sure that after another 12 months I'll have the passion to keep enjoying it."http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/columns/content/current/story/257862.html Cricinfo – Doctrove moves into the spotlight Content-aus.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 In the press conference, the ICC's chairman Malcolm Speed did not offer any assurances about Hair's future.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/5286690.stm BBC News Umpire offered to resign for cash 25 August 2006 1 May 2010 On 27 August, Hair responded to the release of the e-mails by stating that the ICC had been in negotiations with him prior to him sending them.http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/it-was-icc-not-me/2006/08/28/1156617251945.html Sydney Morning Herald 28 August 2006 ICC asked me to make offer: Hair He was quoted as saying: "During an extended conversation with Mr. Cowie, I was invited to make a written offer. The figure in the e-mail correspondence was in line with those canvassed with the ICC." The ICC however denied they had invited a claim.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/257988.html Cricinfo – Hair hits back at the ICC Content-uk.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014http://sport.independent.co.uk/cricket/article1222263.ece "The Independent Online" – Hair says ICC encouraged his $500,000 offer to resign Sport.independent.co.uk 19 March 2014 18 August 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080111151435/http://sport.independent.co.uk/cricket/article1222263.ece 11 January 2008 In a press conference on 28 September 2006 Hair reiterated that he never considered retirement.Cricinfo – Hair never considered retirement ICC hearing On 28 September, the ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle chaired the hearing into Inzamam's case and acquitted him of the ball-tampering charge stating, "Having regard to the seriousness of the allegation of ball-tampering [it is an allegation of cheating], I am not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that there is sufficiently cogent evidence that the fielding team had taken action likely to interfere with the condition of the ball" in his official report,https://archive.today/20080111150911/http://wwwc4.cricinfo.com/engvpak/content/current/story/260776.html Cricinfo – Ranjan Mudagalle's decision in full but banned him for four One Day Internationals for bringing the game into disrepute.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvpak/content/current/story/260775.html CricInfo 28 September 2006 'Inzamam cleared of ball tampering'https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/pakistan/5388402.stm BBC 28 September 2006 'Disrepute ban for skipper Inzamam' Each of the ICC-appointed match officials (Hair, Doctrove, Cowie, Trevor Jesty, Mike Procter, and Peter Hartley) were of the opinion that markings on the ball indicated tampering.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvpak/content/current/story/260776.html Cricinfo – Ranjan Mudagalle's decision in full Content-uk.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 However retired cricketer Geoffrey Boycott, testifying before the panel, stated "That's a good ball, not just a playable ball."https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/sep/29/cricket.sport The Guardian London How Boycott swung the verdict 29 September 2006 1 May 2010 Omar Waraich Another witness, TV analyst Simon Hughes, testified that Hair was "guessing", and the ball was in "pretty good condition", when he examined it.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/pakistan/5391118.stm BBC News Hair 'guessed' at ball-tampering 29 September 2006 1 May 2010 At a press conference after the hearing, PCB's chairman Shahryar Khan revealed that his board had not ruled out calling for charges of bringing the game into disrepute against Hair.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/260801.html Cricinfo 28 September 2006 PCB considers disrepute charge against Hair Following the hearing, the ICC announced that Hair would not be umpiring at the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy because of security concerns.http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1055659 DNA Sport 28 September 2006 Hair out of Champions Trophy' The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that they were bothered by the controversy surrounding Hair rather than any security issues,http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/iccct2006/content/current/story/260620.html Indian board opposes Hair standing in Champions Trophy CricInfo 26 September 2006 Martin Williamsonhttps://archive.today/20080111204318/http://wwwc4.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/260875.html Cricinfo – Security not an issue – BCCI but Malcolm Speed wrote that these had been raised by independent advisors.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/261382.html Cricinfo – Speed backs Hair to stand again Content-uk.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 Ban On 4 November 2006, Hair was banned from officiating in international matches by the ICC following a two-day meeting held by the ICC. The announcement was made by ICC President Percy Sonn in Mumbai, India, in a press conference. Hair banned from officiating in internationals http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/266878.html 4 November 2006 Siddhartha Vaidyanathan Cricinfo.com 5 November 2006 "He shall not be allowed to officiate in any future international games until the end of this contract [which ends in March 2008]" Percy Sonn, ICC President Both Malcolm Speed, CEO of the ICC, and Sonn, stated that although Hair has been banned from tests, there is "no issue" with the result of the Oval Test match, which Pakistan forfeited. The decision was met with praise from the Pakistani board, who had previously called for Hair to be sacked.http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=iol1162645602472C623 Pakistan praise ICC for Hair removal IOL 4 November 2006 18 August 2014 It was widely rumoured on 3 November 2006, that Hair was going to be banned, after a "reliable source" leaked information to an Indian television network. The unnamed source said that 10 test playing nations voted on whether Hair should be allowed to continue, with the West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Bangladesh all voting for Hair to be removed, while England, Australia and New Zealand supported him. The voting at the decision to ban Hair was seen by some to reflect the perception of Hair in different countries.Cricket gets its badly needed Hair-cut https://web.archive.org/web/20080225060853/http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=30722 25 February 2008 Most Asian commentators welcomed the move. Javed Miandad said that such a move by ICC sets an example that meant "all other umpires will be under pressure to take the right decisions"http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=17&art_id=iol1162645602472C623 Pakistan praise ICC for Hair removal IOL 4 November 2006 18 August 2014 and Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar also supported the decision.Ranatunga endorses Hair's removal https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ranatunga-endorses-hair-s-removal-266951 ESPNcricinfo 11 April 2024 5 November 2006 The former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga welcomed the decision to ban Hair, commenting that "Hair had a prejudice against Asian teams. I am happy that he is finally out. The decision will do good to future cricket."Hair exit welcomed https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/nov/06/cricket.gdnsport3 11 April 2024 The Guardian 6 November 2006 The majority of criticism against the decision to ban Hair from matches involving test nations has come from his home country of Australia. Ricky Ponting said he was surprised by the ICC's move to ban Hairhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/6116748.stm BBC News Pakistan celebrate Hair decision 5 November 2006 1 May 2010 and Cricket Australia demanded the ICC explain the reasons for Hair being stood down.http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20712205-5001505,00.html https://archive.today/20120912214114/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20712205-5001505,00.html dead 12 September 2012 The Australian Malcolm Conn CA condemns Hair sacking 7 November 2006 Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said "Umpires need to have confidence in the system – that they are supported by best-practice administration and processes."http://www.supercricket.co.za/default.asp?id=195957&des=article&scat=supercricket/international https://web.archive.org/web/20070927181054/http://www.supercricket.co.za/default.asp?id=195957&des=article&scat=supercricket%2Finternational dead 27 September 2007 SuperCricket SuperCricket 18 August 2014 dmy-all The Australian media has also been critical of the decision. News Corp's Robert Craddock said, "Having seen how brutally Hair was abandoned after his tough call, only a brave or foolish umpire would be courageous enough to throw himself into the lion's den."http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20701058-10389,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080112044930/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20701058-10389,00.html dead 12 January 2008 The Sunday Mail (Qld) Chilling rule of Asian overlords Robert Craddock 4 November 2006 At the time, Hair had not ruled out taking legal action after the decision.http://www.sportal.com.au/cricket.asp?i=news&id=90732 Sportal.com.au - Cricket 2011-06-12 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20050306032958/http://www.sportal.com.au/cricket.asp?i=news 6 March 2005 Billy Doctrove, the other umpire during the Oval Test, is unaffected by the ICC's ban on Hair, though he was overlooked for the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy.HOW THE DRAMA UNFOLDED | Sporting Life – Cricket News | Live Cricket Scores, New Zealand v England, CB Series, Live Coverage & Stats https://web.archive.org/web/20110629190158/http://www.sportinglife.com/cricket/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=cricket%2F06%2F11%2F04%2FCRICKET_Hair_Timeline.html 29 June 2011 In the aftermath of the Oval incident Hair was voted Umpire of the Season in a poll carried out by The Wisden Cricketer, with more than a third of the votes.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/268527.html Cricinfo – Hair voted Umpire of the Year Content-uk.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 A leaked ICC report showed that immediately before the Oval incident, Hair was ranked the second-best umpire in the world overall after umpire Simon Taufel and number one in terms of decision-making statistics.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/267653.html Cricinfo – Hair praised by ICC immediately before being sacked Content-uk.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 Racial discrimination allegations In February 2007, Hair announced he was suing the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board on grounds of racial discrimination. Hair alleged that he was made a scapegoat when he was barred from officiating Test matches after the forfeited Oval Test, as no action was taken against his fellow umpire Billy Doctrove. Hair to sue cricket authorities https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6337481.stm 7 February 2007 bbc.co.uk 7 February 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070209062146/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6337481.stm 9 February 2007 live In a statement issued via his solicitor, Hair said: Hair to sue cricket authorities http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/279467.html 8 February 2007 cricinfo 8 February 2007 "I can confirm I have instructed my lawyers, Finers Stephens Innocent, 179 Portland Street, London, to issue an application to the London Central Employment Tribunal alleging racial discrimination from the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board. Therefore it is inappropriate for me to make further comment as this matter is yet to be determined by the tribunal." "I haven't spoken to anybody about this. I hope you understand that I haven't released any information about this. Somebody else obviously has. I've got no idea who but I value y confidentially, unfortunately I've discovered other people don't." In response to this move by Hair, PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said "Mr Hair was removed from the ICC panel of umpires because of his bad umpiring and his poor judgement."Hair sues cricket boards for 'racial discrimination'. 08/02/2007. ABC News Online https://web.archive.org/web/20080112002243/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1842687.htm 12 January 2008 In a statement in reply to the notification of Hair against PCB, Ashraf further went on to say "It is crass for him to say a black West Indian was let off [whereas] he was a white man and therefore he was charged. Mr Hair was the senior umpire and he literally took over that Oval cricket match. I was present there. "There was only one man that evening that did not want cricket to be played. [It was] a black spot on the history of cricket thanks to Mr Hair."http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/279257.html Cricinfo – PCB responds to Hair sue threat Content-pak.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 However, on 9 October 2007 Hair dropped his discrimination case. The ICC said Hair would undergo a development programme over the next six months seemingly with the goal to place him back into top level matches. During this six-month period he would continue to officiate in second tier ICC associate matches. The ICC restored Hair to the Elite Umpiring Panel on 12 March 2008.Hair restored as ICC elite umpire BBC News retrieved 12 March 2008 However, on 22 August 2008 Hair handed in his resignation to the ICC to take up a coaching role, after he had only officiated in two Tests, in May and June 2008 between England and New Zealand.http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/365890.html Hair quits to focus on coaching Content-uk.cricinfo.com 18 August 2014 He had been an international umpire for 16 years. References 30em Category:2006 in cricket Category:Australia in international cricket Category:Cricket controversies Category:England in international cricket Category:Pakistan in international cricket Category:2006 in English cricket Category:2006 in Pakistani cricket Category:Pakistani cricket tours of England