The Facts - The Reasons Why - Official.

[Ernest]

Even though there was frantic negotiations to make sure there was some cricket played tomorrrow (day 5)

Test forfeited: England win

Cricinfo staff

August 20, 2006


Breaking news

10.20pm The fourth Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval has been forfeited as an England win, after a joint statement between the ICC, ECB and PCB.

Statement on behalf of International Cricket Council, England & Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board

"After lengthy negotiations which resulted in agreement between the teams, the ICC match referee and both ECB and PCB to seek to resume the fourth npower Test match on Monday, it was concluded with regret that there will be no play on the fifth day. The fourth npower Test match between England and Pakistan has therefore been forfeited with the match being awarded to England.



In accordance with the laws of cricket it was noted that the umpires had correctly deemed that Pakistan had forfeited the match and awarded the Test to England.

Full Story here

[adamr]

No ramifications for Darrell Hair according to this statement by the ICC:

11.15pm An ICC statement adds: "ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed also spoke to umpire Darrell Hair by phone from Dubai.

"Following these meetings the umpires decided that, having made the decision to award the match to England, to change that decision would not be in keeping with the Laws of Cricket. The ICC backs the decision of the umpires.

"The issue of a charge or charges to be laid against Pakistan under the ICC's code of conduct will now be dealt with at the earliest possible opportunity. Pakistan has been charged under level two of the code of conduct, 2.10, which relates to changing the condition of the match ball".

Quite rightly so IMHO.

[Collyisamackem]

So it is most emphatically not over then. This is saddening indeed, and raises questions over the ODI series taking place surely?

[Mike]

Gatting thinks Pakistan should have voiced their protest after the day's play or after the match. I have to agree. Pakistan had the match for the taking and could have taken the victory and lodged a formal protest after the match. It seems such a huge sacrifice to forfeit the match over an umpiring decision that wouldn't have altered the outcome of the match. The ball was 55 overs old and Pakistan would have got swing with the new ball in these conditions, I'm sure, to bowl England out and chase a small target. Perhaps, Pakistan over-reacted due to their current feelings about daryl Hair.

[Django]

In my opinion Inzamam should have objected to as and when Hair decided to change the ball and award 5 runs to England, and not wait until the tea-time. Inzamam should have called the match referee, the managers and the other umpires to raise the issue and settled the matter there and then.

It is difficult for us to make any judgement from where we are. But one thing is clear that unless Hair has solid proof of ball tampering, he should not have taken the arrogant stance that he took. And with the history that Hair has..............

For me the other disappointing aspect has been the complete failure of ICC to show any kind of leadership. But then again what can you expect from an organisation that has nothing but making money as its prime objective?

After this farce, one thing is for sure, cricket will never be the same again!

[Collyisamackem]

Bob Woolmer has spoken to the press and, whilst upholding that he and the team felt they were right to protest, apologised to the fans for the refusal to play.

Also, the one day series is not under threat according to the PCB, they deem it separate to the tests entirely and will honour it as part of their contractual obligation with the ECB of whom they have not spoken ill.

I just looked at the scorecard again, what a sorry thing to have to put in the "match result" section:

Originally Posted by CricInfo Scorecard

Result England won after the opposition refused to play