Oval hearing gets under way

Darrell Hair and Inzamam-ul-Haq inspect the offending ball © Getty Images

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Inzamam-ul-Haq arrived at the Brit Oval on Wednesday morning to defend two charges of breaching the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct.

The Pakistan captain drove through the Alec Stewart Gates, where the two-day disciplinary hearing is being held, shortly after 9am accompanied by coach Bob Woolmer.

Inzamam, 36, is charged with bringing the game into disrepute and changing the condition of the ball during the fourth npower Test against England last month, which was forfeited for the first time in cricket's history.

Senior match referee Ranjan Madugalle walked through the gates and the large press gathering outside shortly after 8.30am as he prepared to chair the hearing.

He was followed 15 minutes later when Billy Doctrove, one of the on-field umpires officiating in the Test, got out of a taxi with match referee Mike Procter and Doug Cowie, the ICC's umpire's manager.

Inzamam arrived around 10 minutes later when he drove through the gates in a silver car to be followed shortly afterwards by umpire Darrell Hair. The Australian official walked through the gates but when asked for his thoughts he said: "No comment - good to see you all."

The final key member of the hearing to arrive was Mark Gay, the lawyer representing the Pakistan team, who told waiting reporters: "I'm looking forward to it."

After the first day of the hearing it is likely the ICC will issue a statement detailing the day’s events which may also, if possible, give some indication of when the hearing is likely to conclude.

At the conclusion of the hearing the adjudicator, Madugalle, will have a maximum of 24 hours to reach his decision, although he can do so as soon as he deems appropriate.

Once he has reached that decision, a statement will be prepared by ICC and a media conference will be convened at the ground.