Fourth Test controversy timeline by AFP

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Ground:	Kennington Oval, Kennington
Scorecard:	England v Pakistan
Event:	Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 26th September 2006

 

Timeline of the 'forfeit' Test controversy ahead of Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq's disciplinary hearing at The Oval starting here Wednesday (all times GMT):

 

Aug 20

 

1334: Umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove examine match ball after an Umar Gul over on the fourth day of the fourth Test at The Oval. Hair, believing the condition of the ball to have been unfairly altered, signals to the scorers that Pakistan will be penalised five runs. Ball is changed.

 

1543: Hair and Doctrove, and not out England batsmen Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, return to the field after tea but there's no sign of Pakistan team. Officials and batsmen return to pavilion.

 

1554: Umpires and batsmen return to field, but still no Pakistan team. Bails are removed and the covers come on.

 

1619: Match referee Mike Procter, English cricket chief David Morgan and Pakistan counterpart Shaharyar Khan seen in deep discussions on balcony.

 

1624: Skipper Inzamam leads Pakistan team back onto the field, but now there is no sign of the umpires. Talks did not involve the umpires who insist that the original Pakistan no-show after tea means the match has been conceded.

 

1713: Play called off for the day.

 

2110: Test abandoned after Pakistan deemed to have forfeited match. England declared winners and take series 3-0. It is the first forfeit in 129 years of Test history.

 

Aug 21

 

Inzamam says he kept his team off the field to defend his country's pride after allegations of cheating.

 

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and team manager Zaheer Abbas both insist their side had not been guilty of ball-tampering.

 

Inzamam charged with ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

 

Meanwhile the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says it no longer wants Hair to officiate in any of its team's matches.

 

Aug 22

 

Inzamam warns cricket chiefs: Clear me of ball tampering or the tour of England is finished.

 

British newspapers report that England coach Duncan Fletcher visited Procter's room before the start of the fourth day's play. English officials insist no "specific complaint" about the ball was made.

 

Aug 23

 

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed insists Pakistan would have no right of veto over the appointment of Hair for future Tests.

 

Zaheer confirms the team's upcoming one-day series against England will go ahead after a disciplinary hearing involving captain Inzamam was postponed due to the unavailability of ICC chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle.

 

Speed on his way to London to help broker a deal that could keep Pakistan's tour of England on track.

 

Hair says he stands by his decision and wants to continue umpiring.

 

Aug 24

 

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) makes contingency plan for England to play World XI in the event Pakistan pull out of the upcoming one-day series.

 

Aug 25

 

ICC announce that Hair offered his resignation in return for a payment of 500,000 dollars.

 

Speaking at a news conference in London, Speed says: "Hair was under great stress when he wrote these letters. Darrell had no dishonest, underhand or malicious intent. He was seeking a solution."

 

Aug 26

 

ICC sets Inzamam hearing provisionally for last week of September.

 

Aug 27

 

Hair says he received "encouragement" to make his resignation offer from ICC umpires and referees manager Doug Cowie. ICC say discussions were merely "informal".

 

Aug 29

 

PCB say ICC should investigate Hair's conduct before Inzamam's hearing takes place.

 

Sep 04

 

Speed warns Pakistan and Inzamam against making any further "inappropriate" public comments ahead of the hearing saying they risk further charges under the ICC code of conduct.

 

Sep 07

 

ICC confirms Inzamam's hearing will take place on September 27 and 28.

 

Sep 12

 

Zaheer sacked as team manager but PCB deny this has anything to do with events at The Oval.

 

Sep 25

 

ICC confirm that Inzamam will answer charges at a two-day hearing in front of Madugalle starting at The Oval on Wednesday.

 

Inzamam, Hair, Doctrove and Procter are among those set to attend with a decision due Friday local time.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)