Forensic tests possible on Oval Test ball: ICC

NEW DELHI—The International Cricket Council said forensic tests may be conducted on the ball used in the controversial Oval Test to ensure a fair hearing for Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.
"A forensic test is being suggested," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed told reporters on Wednesday. "The laws of cricket are clear on what constitutes changing the condition of the ball.
"Lawyers of Pakistan and the ICC are studying what evidence can be put forth."
The fourth and final Test between England and Pakistan ended in fiasco at the Oval last month when Pakistan refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day to protest being accused of ball-tampering.
The move led to umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove awarding the match to England -- the first forfeit in the 129-year history of Test cricket.
Inzamam was subsequently charged with ball-tampering and bringing the game into disrepute. He now faces an ICC hearing scheduled in the last week of this month.
Speed said the sport's world governing body will take every step to ensure a fair hearing.
"We want a fair hearing," he said. "No final date has been agreed upon, but it will be announced in a day or two.
"We don't want to sit on the side of the umpires. We don't want to sit on the side of the team. We want to sit in between them and accept whatever decision is made by the adjudicator."
Speed denied the ICC had delayed the hearing, initially to be held soon after the Test, to allow matters to settle down.
"We were very keen and would have preferred to have the hearing in the match referees' room right after the match as it happens in normal circumstances," he said.
"But Ranjan Madugalle (the Sri Lankan adjudicator) had a serious personal problem which needed his urgent attention. In no way we were seeking to defer the hearing."
When asked if the power of awarding a Test would be taken away from on-field umpires, Speed said the ICC could only consider the proposal if it came through its cricket committee.
"We must bear in mind that on-field decisions have been made by umpires for a long time," he said. "It has stood the test of time. We have certain processes in place in the ICC to consider changes in the laws".—Agencies