The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : De Silva hails move to drop Hair

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Sunday, Nov 12, 2006
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De Silva hails move to drop Hair

Principal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The International Cricket Committee's (ICC) move to remove Australian umpire Darrel Hair from the Elite panel is the best thing to have happened in cricket of late, says former Sri Lanka star batsman Aravinda de Silva.

In an informal chat after a visit to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium (Uppal), de Silva said somehow the Asian cricketers were never really comfortable with Hair.

Attitude problem

"As cricketers we just don't expect an umpire to be a mere judge but also a good friend off and on the field and a very good communicator. There seems to be an attitude problem in Hair's case," he said. "I won't say he is racial, but definitely the Asians have always had the feeling of being let down by him."

Whom does he admire the most among contemporary umpires? "Simon Tuffnel and Rudy Koertzen seem to be very good and highly respected," de Silva replied.

Lanka can regain Cup

On Sri Lanka's prospects in the 2007 World Cup, he said the team had the potential to regain the World Cup. "But, they have to get the right combinations and have clearly defined roles for each player," he said.

His views on the Indian team. "I believe there have been too many players coming in and going out in the last 12 months. It is time you find a combination which gels well before the World Cup," he said.

Play Kumble, Harbhajan

"There is no better option than to persist with two of your best bowlers, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. They bowl so well in tandem. In fact, Kumble should have played the Champions Trophy," he opined.

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