Darrell Hair returning to test cricket in England vs. New Zealand series

Banished umpire Darrell Hair will return to top-level cricket next month when he officiates in two tests between England and New Zealand.

Hair, banned for 16 months until last month by the International Cricket Council for his role in the only forfeited test in cricket history, will partner Simon Taufel in the second test at Manchester's Old Trafford from May 23-27, and with Steve Bucknor in the third test at Nottingham from June 5-9.

Taufel and Bucknor will umpire in the first test at Lord's which starts on May 15.

Hair was banned from the ICC's elite umpiring panel after the forfeited test between England and Pakistan at The Oval in August 2006.

Hair accused Pakistan of ball tampering and, when the team refused to take the field after a break, he and umpire Billy Doctrove forfeited the match to England. Hair, who is white, was angered by the fact that he was banned while black umpire Doctrove largely escaped censure.

Its the only forfeit in test cricket's 131-year history. Hair was reinstated to the elite panel last month.

Hair's return comes after he completed a so-called "rehabilitation program" in September when he agreed to drop a claim of racial discrimination against the ICC.

The 55-year-old Australian has umpired 76 tests - but none since The Oval match - and 135 one-day matches, the last one between Ireland and Scotland in July 2007.