30 Jun 2011

Australian umpire withdraws from cricket test in wake of Indian criticism

6:01 am on 30 June 2011

The Australian cricket umpire Daryl Harper has withdrawn from what would have been his final test appearance after complaints from India's players about his decision making.

Harper, who's been an international umpire since 1994, was supposed to take charge of the third and final test between the West Indies and India starting in Dominica next week.

The International Cricket Council general manager David Richardson says after unfair criticism Harper, who's 59, told them he doesn't want to officiate in the match.

Harper has stood in 95 tests and 174 one-day internationals but was criticised by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the series opener.

Although the ICC has its own regulations protecting officials from public criticism, Dhoni's comments went unpunished.

Harper's not the first neutral umpire to make a premature exit from a series involving India after complaints from the game's commercial leaders.

Two years ago West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor was sacked by the ICC after India complained about his performance when they lost a close match against Australia in Sydney.