Cricket: Javed's fee detailed

THE INTERNATIONAL Cricket Council yesterday defended its policy of using national pay scales for its National Grid umpires panel.

The ICC countered claims that the Pakistan umpire, Javed Akhtar, received only pounds 158 for officiating in the fifth Test between England and South Africa by releasing figures that showed he actually picked up pounds 662.

Javed's payment was made up of a fee of 12,000 Pakistani rupees (pounds 162) from his national board together with a maximum ICC Test fee of pounds 500. He also received a separate pounds 600 payment to cover out of pocket expenses. That works out at pounds 50 a day during his time in England.

The ICC also confirmed that the other umpire at Headingley, the former England player, Peter Willey, received the standard English Cricket Board fee of pounds 2,755 together with the minimum ICC fee of pounds 200.