Never before in the history of Test cricket has a match been forfeited in this manner, England’s final Test against Pakistan ended on Sunday in high drama with Umpire ruling the match result in the hosts’ favour.Pakistan forfeited the match by refusing to play as they are upset by ball-tampering accusation by Darrell Hair, the umpire who accused them of changing the nature of the ball, and Pakistan. Darrell Hair is no nuetral umpire and he is very well known for his temper to Asian teams particularly pakistan and India.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said of the incident: "I think there was a genuine feeling that, by inference, we had been cheating.I personally asked every member of the team, under oath basically, whether they had at any time scratched the ball during the innings and to a man they said no. I went to ask to see the ball. I looked at the ball and came to my own conclusions. I didn’t see any undue tampering with the ball – and in 38 years I have seen tampering with balls.It had been hit into the stands on numerous occasions by Kevin Pietersen. I didn’t think there were any undue marks, but that is a personal opinion.Having asked my team I can concur with them there was probably just damage from concrete and whatever."
This coach is taking oath with players? Well couldn’t stop myself from laughing :).
What the umpire should have done is they should have kept the match going for the sake of public, as they have paid the money. Voices of 23000 spectators in the stadium and Millions in TV and Radios went unheard, fans always suffer.
Maverick 