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Darrell Hair does it again

5 March 2011 04:56 am - 38     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Test umpire Darrell Hair has delivered a World Cup bombshell by revealing several ICC match officials believe Muthiah Muralidaran is a chucker - but refrain from calling him in matches.

In a shock development before Sri Lanka's World Cup clash with Australia tonight, Hair - who first called Muralidaran for throwing in 1995 - said some of cricket's leading umpires have privately rebuked the spin legend's controversial action.

Former ICC panellist Hair also said Muralidaran continued to chuck and did so several times in Sri Lanka's 11-run loss to Pakistan last Saturday.

Despite being called for throwing by Hair and Ross Emerson, Muralidaran was able to resurrect his career and is embarking on his international swansong at the World Cup after a 19-year career.

But before Muralidaran's showdown with the Aussies at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Hair said he and Emerson were not the only umpires who believed the spinner's action was still flawed.

"A couple of current umpires have said to me, 'Something is wrong', but they prefer to let it go," said Hair, who quit the ICC's elite panel in 2008.

"There is still a lot of doubt about his deliveries.

"A few have told me, 'There is definitely something wrong with his action, but I'm not going to call him'.

"They are the ones who have to live with that.

"If you're an umpire you're meant to uphold the law so both teams get a fair shake.

"There's been some umpires who think, 'I'm on a good wicket here, I'm making good money, I won't rock the boat'.

"It's not my style, it's obviously theirs."

The 38-year-old has more than once been cleared by the ICC, which ordered Muralidaran undergo biomechanical testing, but his action has constantly polarised opinion.


Umpire Darrell Hair speaks to Sri Lankan spinner Muthiah Muralidaran about no-balling him for "chucking" against Australia in 1995.
Source: Herald Sun


"I watched a few of his deliveries in his game against Pakistan and I noticed the last few overs when he was really getting some turn on the ball, those wouldn't have complied under scrutiny," Hair said.

"But this is his last World Cup, he's going to bow out with a lot of fanfare and no umpire will be bothered by it."

Hair claimed the ICC repeatedly turned a blind eye to his doubts about Muralidaran.

"Each time I wrote a list of concerns and put them in a report, but the report system wasn't working," he said.

"The only way it would have worked was if the Sri Lanka board listened to it and quite patently they didn't want to.

"Back in 1995, I have no doubt he threw a hell of a lot of balls. He had his action reviewed, but then he started bowling the doosra and there's no one in the world who can bowl that legally."

(Herald Sun)


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  Comments - 38

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  • Sunil Karu Sunday, 06 March 2011 01:56 AM

    Who is this Darrell Hair? Insignificant individual looking for publicity. Just Ignore. He is a loser no where to go.

    rajiv Saturday, 05 March 2011 03:38 PM

    Hey Mr. Hair,

    Why dint you think of telling this 2 your board. They were a few months ago wanted to hire him to train the spinners of the finner points of Off Spin.

    Did Cricket Australia want their spinners to chuck ?

    Come on Mr. Hair, you r too old, so u need a lot of money to look after you and your family so u get some $$$$$ when u say somethink, I now see your pockets r full.

    Ruwan Saturday, 05 March 2011 04:07 PM

    Dilshan got trapped again! The Aussies are up to their dirty tricks again! Tait started to insult and humiliate Dilshan and the other Aussies joined Tait. Dilshan lost his cool and lasted only two balls! Be like Arjuna our captain cool! don't lose your cool! best of luck to our team on the next match!

    KHKaru Saturday, 05 March 2011 04:11 PM

    Australia is probably the only country that practice dual sledging, by the players and by the (ex)-umpires.Hair has timed his bomb to perfection, and if both SL and AUS. proceed further in the competition upto the final, I'll bet my last cent that Hair will drop more time bombs.

    eddy Saturday, 05 March 2011 04:20 PM

    Rules are there,Umpires like Hair just carry out the system. Dont set rules which cannot be justified. Use your head and think not with your Hair. You have done injustice for the game and the players. If you cannot set precedence shut your freakin mouth. You will go down in history as an umpire of chucking, are you sure you are umpiring cricket. I think the board would rather replace umpires like you than players. I think you have crossed the line and shown you are clearly incapable of umpiring. Its umpires like you who should be reprimanded.

    josh Saturday, 05 March 2011 04:29 PM

    well he himself accepted the fact that he was ORDERED to call the No Ball... how can he say this now?? who has ordered him now??

    eddy Saturday, 05 March 2011 04:34 PM

    Aussies cricket team depends on the umpires like hair to win. That is why he is around all the time,condemning other teams. Not a fair go mate.

    arsh Saturday, 05 March 2011 04:50 PM

    Murali don't train these guys, they want you to train them but they will also insult you...

    Raymond Saturday, 05 March 2011 04:58 PM

    Someone must remove his hair...

    Buddhika Sunday, 06 March 2011 01:51 AM

    Dear Hair,

    You are a chucker in your attitude. try to correct yourself first.The whole world knows that Murali is 100 % clean.

    LIMA Saturday, 05 March 2011 03:22 PM

    a married man understand life , this idiot is unmarried how can he understand the life since he has not seen his wife , cricket too like that , how does he know if he has not bowled a ball

    Vision8 Sunday, 06 March 2011 02:23 AM

    No question, this "Hair' moron is possessed with himself and probably tyring to get all the attention whatever way he can get before he retires (good riddance!). Sri Lankans and the cricketing world would be much better off ignoring his attention-craving actions.
    Hope this man won't get to umpire a Sri Lanka game.

    Rohan kariyawasm Sunday, 06 March 2011 02:35 AM

    Just a question to support Murali DO you want your kids to follow his style bowling?

    kenny_fdo Sunday, 06 March 2011 03:02 AM

    Well you got to admit that all Asians have some advantage when it comes to playing the racial card. if this happened to a non Asian i don't think the treatment would be same.

    Viv Sunday, 06 March 2011 03:39 AM

    There are pictures of Shoib Akthar bowling with elbow bent taken at the SL vs Pak match on the 26th. I suppose Hair (and the other umpires) are too old to see the bent arm of a fast bowler...

    TERRENCE B. DE SILVA Sunday, 06 March 2011 08:56 AM

    HAIR-RAISING INDEED! THERE'S NO SPLITTING HAIRS ABOUT IT DARREL JUST WANTS HIS BIT IN THE LIMELIGHT AT THE COST OF BOWLING SUPREMO MURALITHARAN.

    jayantha wedage Sunday, 06 March 2011 09:21 AM

    These some Australians had come from England as robbers,it is the history of them.

    Rohan kariyawasm Sunday, 06 March 2011 10:55 AM

    So pl make sure your children follow his style of bowling

    Oussie Tuesday, 08 March 2011 03:49 AM

    yes thats how they act, came as robbers and law breakers and now act as robbers and maniacs . They do not know how to play a good game !!!!!!!!

    Kuriosity Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:43 AM

    Guys dont be upset with his comments. he wants some publicity

    Rajith Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:12 AM

    sour grapes for Hair as he is sad that Murali is the Greatest of them all to have ever played on this earth.
    only thing Hair is good at is tarnishing the worlds best bowler !!!

    J.Deane Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:16 AM

    Quixotic Nutty Hair - wont give up at all! wants the limelight even from his grave. I advise all to ignore this nut.

    Gayan Samarasekara Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:22 AM

    This joker is very keen to wait for world cup matches, particularly a match between Australia and Sri Lanka to deliver his fun talks. he is just begging for some kind of a publicity. Darrell Hair is nowhere if Murali's actions were not criticised.. Who is this guy..??

    afraz Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:22 AM

    Some one please Shout Darrel Hair, As he's being a pain on our ***.

    DHA Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:27 AM

    Very Cheap Aussie tactic.......

    Stephen Charles Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:28 AM

    Umpire Darrel Hair so dump, still his tiny brain can't understand the fact that "Murali is a world class bowler" no doubt his action is unique. Sure, some day D.H. will admit it.

    Ananda Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:28 AM

    Mr. Hiar, why dont you beleive that Murali has a genuine deformatiy in his elbow and he has a very honest and humble personality that he is not someone who even think of chuking or doing anything bad to the game? He is not an Aussie Darrel.and he is a wrist spinner and he has a deformatiy. Leave him alone!

    Sammy Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:30 AM

    Another psychological ploy by the Aussies just before their world cup match vs SL. This is a big insult to the ICC & why should they not call if it was true.

    Hash Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:36 AM

    Already scared of losing in today's match ?

    ranjith Saturday, 05 March 2011 05:01 AM

    Ranjith

    This is typical Ausie hedging tackticts before the Sri Lanka Australia match Ausie sister Dair wants to upset Muralli.
    Muralli we are 100% behind you do not listen to Ausi Sisy

    Dakshina Saturday, 05 March 2011 10:12 AM

    Who cares

    sinhalaya Saturday, 05 March 2011 10:40 AM

    Hair Raising ....

    Lionel Saturday, 05 March 2011 11:14 AM

    Hair is paid Dollars for sayimg these things. Now he can make a living only that way. He is the scum of the earth! When will he ever learn?

    BE FAIR Saturday, 05 March 2011 11:33 AM

    Mr. Hair, i think you are just another racist...look at the mirror..

    Ruzaick Saturday, 05 March 2011 12:19 PM

    Stupid Idiot

    Fawaz Saturday, 05 March 2011 12:48 PM

    Don't worry MM. He has been a Pissu Pusa and continues.

    Che Saturday, 05 March 2011 12:51 PM

    Hair is a flea Brain,and a Miserable Cheat.

    TOEJOE Saturday, 05 March 2011 02:57 PM

    BUSH HAIR


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