Harper pulls out of final Test

Umpire Daryl Harper has withdrawn from the third Test between West Indies and India, his last as a member of the elite panel.

Aussie official takes his leave early after "unfair criticism"

Australian umpire Daryl Harper has withdrawn from officiating in the third Test between West Indies and India - which was due to be his last as an elite panel member. ICC general manager of cricket David Richardson revealed Harper had opted not to stand in next week's Test in Dominica due to "unfair criticism". The 59-year-old has umpired 95 Tests, although his recent performances have been questioned by some sections of the cricket community. "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 Richardson. "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. "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."