Friday, October 6 2006 18:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Billy Doctrove, who stood with Darrell Hair at the forfeited Oval Test between England and Pakistan, will not officiate in the Champions Trophy in India.

Hair, who penalised Pakistan five runs after accusations of ball-tampering in that match, was removed from the list last week, officially for security reasons.

An International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesman insisted on Thursday there was "nothing sinister" in the absence of Doctrove.

"There were only going to be eight umpires," the spokesman told the BBC.

"It doesn't mean Billy Doctrove is a bad umpire," he said.

Mike Procter, the match referee in the controversial Test, is one of three men filling that role at the Champions Trophy, as is Ranjan Madugalle, who oversaw the resulting disciplinary hearing.

Champions Trophy match referees: Mike Procter (RSA), Jeff Crowe (NZL), Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

Champions Trophy match umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Asad Rauf (PAK), Mark Benson (ENG), Billy Bowden (NZL), Steve Bucknor (WIS), Daryl Harper (AUS), Rudi Koertzen (RSA), Simon Taufel (AUS)