Harper pulls out after 'unfair criticism'

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Umpire Daryl Harper has pulled out of the third Test between West Indies and India, in the face of what has been described as 'unfair criticism' following the first Test in Jamaica last week.

The contest in Dominica starting next Wednesday was supposed to be Harper's farewell match in international cricket after 17 years as an official.

He has now been replaced by Englishman Richard Kettleborough.

"In the wake of some unfair criticism, Daryl has informed us that he does not wish to stand in what would have been his final Test," said International Cricket Council general manager, David Richardson.

The 59-year-old Harper has stood in 95 Tests, 174 one-day internationals and 10 Twenty20 internationals, since making his debut back in 1994.

One of the most experienced umpires on the international circuit, Harper came under pressure in the last Test in Jamaica, over several controversial decisions.

Following the match, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the game could have ended earlier "if correct decisions were made". He did not, however, identify Harper.

Richardson said it would be a "shame" that Harper would not get to say goodbye to the game in the manner he wished.

"The reality of the situation is that Daryl's statistics show his correct decision percentage in Tests involving India is 96 per cent, which is considerably higher than the international average for top-level umpires," Richardson said.

"We have every faith in Daryl to finish the series, and while we regret his decision we do respect it. The real shame is it deprives him of the opportunity to sign off as a Test match umpire in a manner befitting someone who has served the game so well since making his international debut back in 1994."

The third Test will be played at Windsor Park from July 6-10.