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Don’t judge Aussies by a bunch of idiots: Hair
By Harry Jayachandra
Racism has raised its ugly head in cricket in Australia of all places which boasts of a large multi cultural society. Who would be a better person to ask about this issue than that controversial umpire Darrell Hair who is considered in Sri Lanka as a racial skin head himself.

In a wide ranging interview with The Sunday Times Hair not only addressed the race issue but also made quite few statements on other issues too.
“Don’t judge Australians by handful of idiots. Personally I am from Sydney and have many close friends from other races. In addition I know that the ICC and Australia cricket are taking this issue very seriously. Racism has no place in any sport. And the vast majority in Australia get along very well with anyone from any race”, said Hair.

When asked about the famous Boxing Day issue with Muralitharan, a much mellowed Hair had this to say. “As far as I am concerned that is in the past. Since the Commonwealth games I have been an Umpire when Sri Lanka has played. As for the present, when I meet Murali he greets me and vice versa. We have mutual respect for each other and you cannot ask for anything more”.About new technology being used in the game Hair was very positive about the issue. “If you look at it now it is basically the line decisions that are referred to the third umpire. As for the viewers they have got Hawk Eye and the Snicko meter for example. This creates dialogue and also educates the viewer. Personally anything that does these things is very positive.” He said.

There was a rumour doing the rounds that Umpire Hair was responsible for ensuring that no local umpire officiated at the forthcoming under 19 World Cup. He refuted this in no uncertain terms. “The ICC takes the Youth World Cup very seriously. They are the ones who decided that the Elite panel along with four umpires from the Associate Panel should officiate at this event. It is wrong to say that no local umpires are involved as two from the Associate Panel are Sri Lankan. I was sent here by the ICC just to brief the umpires and captains of the playing conditions etc Furthemore on Friday I was invited to conduct a seminar for umpires and I was very impressed with their keenness and the questions they asked. I do not see any reason why there will not be Sri Lankan umpires on the elite panel in the near future”, said Hair.

Ever since the ICC introduced the super sub rule in one dayers, many National captains have said that they should be allowed to name their player after the toss rather than before. When asked Hair had this to say “This rule was intended to enhance the game and is on a trial basis for 12 months. If as the captains feel the toss plays a vital rule, then it defeats the purpose. I am sure the ICC will take into consideration what the captain’s have to say and review the rule after the trial period”, he said.

Australian Bruce Elliot earlier in the week, had expressed concern that Murali could be exceeding the 15 degree limit as he was bowling quicker. However, yesterday it revealed that Murali had been cleared. Hair had this to say “Bruce Elliot does his job. I do mine.”

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