Cricket

Waugh backs the umpires

By Ben Dorries and Paul Kent
August 22, 2006

STEVE Waugh has supported umpire Darrell Hair's decision to abandon a Test match while former umpire Lou Rowan has called for dissenting Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq to be banned.

Waugh said although Hair could be "stubborn and a bit hard-nosed" no team could expect to get away with not turning up on the ground, as Pakistan did in protest over a ball-tampering penalty by Hair in the fourth Test at The Oval.

"I definitely agree with that (Pakistan forfeiting) - if they don't go back on the field the Test is over," Waugh said.

"That's quite simple. (India's) Sunil Gavaskar tried that one on the umpires in Australia (in 1981). No-one is bigger than the game.

"The laws are there for a reason."

Rowan, who cajoled England to return to the SCG in 1971 after paceman John Snow was grabbed by a spectator, believes action should be taken against Inzamam.

"Inzamam should be kicked out for 12 months for showing contempt for the rules of the game," said Rowan, a former detective who stood in 25 Tests from 1963 to 1971.

"Pakistan's actions were deplorable. The skipper is in charge and he should have the book thrown at him.

"The course of action that Hair took was obviously correct. He had no other choice when Pakistan didn't return to the field."

Waugh said it would be interesting to see whether a camera has unearthed proof of the ball tampering but said Hair would not have made such a serious charge without some.

"He is not going to say it for no reason. He would know the storm it would create. He has been through the Murali incident so he knows the ramifications of doing it. He would not have done it lightly."

Waugh said Hair "tended to do things his way" as an umpire but "he stands by what he believes so you can't ask for much more from an umpire."

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