Hair back in good standing as he prepares to umpire England

The 55-year-old Australian has not officiated in a major international since the match at The Oval which Pakistan forfeited amid a diplomatic storm prompted by allegations of cheating.

In the aftermath, Hair was banned from umpiring by the ICC in response to pressure from the Asian countries, who could not tolerate his no-nonsense, often abrasive manner.

In a further twist, the veteran of 76 Tests dating back to 1992 contacted the ICC with an offer to retire in return for a $500,000 (£250,000) pay-off.

Last year, Hair sued the ICC for racial discrimination, because his fellow umpire at The Oval, West Indian Billy Doctrove, emerged from the saga unscathed, only to abandon the case seven days into an employment tribunal.

But he was never formally removed from the elite umpires panel and began to officiate again, while undergoing a six-month rehabilitation course in Australia aimed at softening some of his famously hard edges.

In March, he was reinstated by the ICC and is preparing to return in Manchester, starting on May 23, alongside compatriot Simon Taufel.

He will also stand in the final Test at Trent Bridge with Jamaican Steve Bucknor but his longer-term future remains uncertain as Pakistan have declared they do not want him to take charge of a match they are contesting.

Hair's second coming should act as a dramatic sideshow in the midst of what could be a one-sided England-New Zealand series, judging by events at Canterbury on Monday.

On day one of their tour game against Kent, the Black Caps' weakened attack were put to the sword by Rob Key and James Tredwell.

The two batsmen responded to their inclusion in the 26-man England performance squad by sharing an unbeaten second-wicket stand of 299, as the hosts closed on 324 for one.

Key advanced his claims for a Test recall by smashing 27 fours in his unbeaten 178, while Tredwell, primarily a spinner, registered a career-best score of 123 not out.

Although New Zealand have five senior players on duty in the Indian Premier League, this was nonetheless a chastening experience.

Key said: "It's a flat pitch but James played unbelievably well. He normally bats at No 9.

"From my point of view, one good knock doesn't make a summer and I have to keep scoring as many runs as I can. There are a lot of good batsmen around and everything depends on what the blokes in possession do for England."

Key's only regret was that his side would not be able to really twist the knife. "We have an agreement that we have to declare after 100 overs, which is a shame," he said.

"I have played in tour matches in Australia where they bat for two days to grind you down, but we don't have that luxury."

Harbhajan Singh has been banned for the remainder of the IPL campaign after pleading guilty to slapping international team-mate Sri Sreesanth.

The India spinner is also being investigated by his national board, who will decide whether to take further action.