Former Australian Test umpire Darrell Hair has admitted stealing cash from the liquor shop where he was working, in a dramatic fall from grace for a man who enjoyed a successful but controversial career in cricket. The 65-year-old, who caused a storm when he no-balled Sri Lanka star Muttiah Muralitharan for an illegal bowling action in 1995, took Aus$9,005.75 (US$7,041) between February 25 and April 28 this year.

A file photo taken on October 7, 2005, shows Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (L), playing for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World XI team, sharing a joke with Australiam umpire Darrell Hair (R) who once no-balled Muralitharan for throwing, in the second one-day match played in Melbourne. Former Australian Test umpire Darrell Hair has admitted stealing from his employer in a dramatic fall from grace for a man who enjoyed a long and colourful cricket career. The 65-year-old, who gained infamy for calling Sri Lankan star Muttiah Muralitharan over an illegal bowling action, was working in a liquor shop when he took Aus$9,005.75 (US$7,041) between February 25 and April 28 this year. Pic/AFP