Fourth Test in chaos after ball-tamper protest by AFP

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Ground:	Kennington Oval, Kennington
Scorecard:	England v Pakistan
Player:	BR Doctrove, DB Hair
Event:	Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 20th August 2006

 

The fourth and final Test match was plunged into controversy on Sunday when Pakistan failed to come out on to the Oval pitch after the tea break.

 

Pakistan refused to take the field after the tea interval on the fourth day in protest over being docked five runs for altering the condition of the match ball at the end of the 56th over which had been bowled by Umar Gul.

 

The tourists were eventually persuaded to return to the field to continue the match after being on the brink of forfeiting the game.

 

Howvever, in a bizarre twist, veteran Australian umpire Darrell Hair, who had signalled the infringement, was then rumoured to be staging his own protest by refusing to continue to officiate in the match.

 

Match referee Mike Procter was in the umpires' room, talking with Hair and Billy Doctrove.

 

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan told the BBC: "We are still hopeful that the match can start again."

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)