Rivals welcome back Hair

Darrell Hair is back in international cricket for the second npower Test

Umpire Darrell Hair’s return to international cricket has been welcomed by both teams ahead of Friday’s second npower Test.

Australian official Hair is standing in the Old Trafford encounter between England and New Zealand, his first Test match since the historic forfeit involving Pakistan 20 months ago.

The removal of the bails alongside fellow official Billy Doctrove at the Brit Oval in August 2006 was expected to be his final act in international cricket.

But, having accused Pakistan of ball-tampering that day, Hair has returned to the top level after retracting his claim of racial discrimination against his employers, the International Cricket Council, and being restored on the governing body’s elite panel of umpires.

“We’ve had Darrell heaps of times and never had a problem with him,” insisted New Zealand coach John Bracewell.

“We always felt he was a pretty good umpire, so we haven’t got a problem with that.”

England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar added: “He’s a respected umpire and it’s good to see someone like him coming back into international cricket, but it’s not much of a talking point for us.”

Nevertheless, the spotlight will be on Hair’s 77th Test and particularly his decision-making.

But Panesar contended: “You play fair cricket and generally an umpire will give a fair decision.

“Darrell Hair coming into his first Test for a while I don’t think will be any issue.

“I’ve never umpired a game myself so I don’t know if he’ll be under extra pressure, but he’s got so much experience that for him he will just be looking forward to it.”

Bracewell believes concern about the pressures Hair might feel upon his return will be public rather then player driven.

“I don’t think the players will worry about it,” Bracewell said. “Those will be more external than internal.

“We as a team have never had an issue with Darrell.”