Darrell Hair not surprised by latest sting on umpires

Sydney, Oct 9:Former international umpire Darrell Hair says he is not surprised at the latest fixing controversy in cricket, raising questions about the integrity of umpires.

Hair, who officiated in 139 One-day Internationals and 78 Test matches, was reacting to an India TV sting operation which has claimed six umpires were ready to be bribed during the recently concluded Twenty20 World Cup and Sri Lanka Premier League in August.

"I was wondering how long it would take before some umpire did some stupid things," Hair was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

"There have been rumours going around for ages, since the Indian Premier League started, that umpires were involved," Hair said.

"It all comes down to two things: Opportunity and greed. If you are the type of person and you are given the opportunity, the greedy part of you will say, 'Yeah, I am in'."

India TV, which had earlier conducted a sting on corruption in India's domestic circuit, released another footage Monday showing six umpires from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka willing to give wrong decisions during a game for varying amounts.

One of the officials caught on camera during the three-month investigation was ICC umpire Nadir Shah from Bangladesh. He has denied the corruption allegations against him while the ICC has called for an inquiry into the matter.

Hair, meanwhile, said umpires getting involved in corruption was not a new phenomenon.

"In my whole career, there had always been word that certain umpires were on the take here or there," he said.

"But to be fair, all the guys I umpired with at international level I think were pretty much above board."

"But I don't doubt that there have been others around, probably in a lesser environment, trying to make a quick buck...People like that have just got no bloody morals or values about the game," said the Australian, who retired in 2008 ending a 16-year-old career.