ICC shortens 2011 World Cup, reinstates Hair

The Hair issue was the most significant of several decisions taken by the ICC8217;s executive board at the end of a two-day meeting in Dubai.

Hair, 55, was sacked from the ICC8217;s elite panel of umpires in November 2006 for his role in the Oval test in August that year when Pakistan became the first team to forfeit a test.

Pakistan refused to return to the field in protest after being penalised for alleged ball-tampering and England being awarded five extra runs.

8220;Darrell Hair is a good, competent umpire and his position will be reviewed after March 31, 2009 as is the case with other umpires at the end of their contracts,8221; ICC president-elect David Morgan told reporters.

8220;It was a unanimous decision to reinstate him.8221;

The move came after Hair underwent a rehabilitation programme devised by the ICC and umpired less important fixtures.

The ICC board also decided Pakistan would stage the Champions Trophy at three venues, provided security fears were allayed after Australia postponed this month8217;s tour to the country following a series of bomb blasts.

IPL CONCERNS

In addition, the ICC said international tours would take precedence over the lucrative Indian Premier League IPL, a franchise-based Twenty20 league due to be launched next month.

It decided national boards, concerned the IPL could take players away from international duty, will have the right to stop a player featuring in the IPL until two years after his retirement.

New Zealand and West Indies in particular were worried their players could retire early or opt to play in the IPL when dates clash with regular tours.

8220;In general terms it was agreed the IPL was a good concept and although the introduction of privately-owned franchises introduced risks to the game, it also provided possible benefits,8221; the ICC said in a statement.

The ICC cleared the way for a shorter 2011 World Cup by deciding on a 14-team format, reduced from 16 after last year8217;s edition in West Indies was criticised for being too long and unwieldy.

Cricket8217;s ruling body also said an independent audit found serious financial irregularities in the Zimbabwe board accounts but did not call for any sanctions, saying there was no evidence of criminality and no individuals had gained financially.

A plan to trial increased use of technology was approved, allowing player referrals of on-field decisions to the TV umpire.

Subject to the consent of the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa, the trial will be conducted during the test series between those two sides in England later this year.