Tuesday, August 29 2006 12:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: The relationship between the ICC and Darrell Hair deteriorates further Monday (28 Aug, 2006) with the Australian umpire saying that he is 'encouraged' to make the pay-to-retire offer following the Oval Test controversy last week.

Having reiterated earlier that his demand for USD 500,000 to step down from the Elite Panel of Umpires is not made on 'spur of the moment', Hair issues a statement through his lawyers last night in which he discloses more details of his conversation with Doug Cowie, the ICC Umpires and Referees manager.

"I was encouraged to make the offer that was disclosed by ICC. I was invited to make a written offer," Hair's statement reads.

"The opening words of my first e-mail to Cowie confirm this, 'Just to firm up what we discussed earlier this evening."

"I note that Cowie replied on the same date, 'your offer may have merit and is acknowledged and under discussions with ICC management'."

"I would have thought that it was quite apparent from the text of the correspondence that I had been in discussions with ICC about the issue prior to sending the e-mail."