ICC re-confirms content of discussions

Following a statement issued today by Darrell Hair, the ICC re-confirmed that Mr Hair did discuss the future of his umpiring career with ICC Umpires and Referees Manager, Doug Cowie, before sending an email to Mr Cowie on Tuesday 22 August but at no stage was there any discussion of a pay-off, nor secrecy, nor deadlines, nor misleading the public regarding reasons for retirement.

An ICC spokesperson confirmed: "There were many informal discussions between Mr Hair and Mr Cowie between the end of the Oval Test and Mr Hair's first email on Tuesday, including a discussion on the potential impact on Mr Hair's umpiring career.

"Mr Cowie's role was to support and counsel Mr Hair, as his manager, at a difficult time and it is our understanding that at no stage during their conversations was there any discussion of a pay-off, nor secrecy, nor deadlines, nor misleading the public regarding reasons for retirement - all of which were subsequently laid out in Mr Hair's email."

The ICC further confirmed that no other ICC staff member discussed any of the above-mentioned issues with Mr Hair during this period.

The spokesperson added: "We have no desire to be in conflict with Mr Hair. He is one of the world's best umpires and we have no doubt that he was under a great deal of stress when he sent the emails that he later revoked.

"There remain two simple cricket matters arising from the Oval Test to be resolved and we look forward to the effective resolution of these matters and the resumption of on-field action."