Aussie club umpires to wear black ribbons in support of Hair by CricketArchive staff reporter

---

Player:

DB Hair

---

DateLine: 30th November 2006

 

Sydney cricket umpires will wear black ribbons in support of dumped ICC umpire Darrell Hair in this weekend's club matches, their organization said on Wednesday. The NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (NSWCUSA) has pledged to continue its support for Hair, a life member and former president of the association, with all umpires at club matches asked to wear the ribbons on Saturday. Hair was dumped from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Elite Panel of umpires after Pakistan lodged a complaint against him for his role in the historic forfeited Oval Test against England in August and demanded an inquiry into his conduct. Earlier this month, the NSWCUSA took out a full-page advertisement in newspapers containing an open letter criticizing the ICC Board for its decision to demote Hair from its elite panel. A statement from the NSWCUSA said the decision to wear black ribbons was aimed at not just showing support, but also "to express concern at a total lack of respect for the role of the umpire by the ICC along with a demise in the idea of playing by the laws". Cricket Australia earlier this month called for the ICC to explain its reasons for dropping Hair and said a review of the ICC's management of umpires was needed to ensure transparent, procedural fairness in the appointment of umpires.