The International Cricket Council (ICC) insisted they had ‘full confidence’ in their umpires after a former official reiterated his doubts about Sri Lanka’s ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling.

Former Test umpire Darrell Hair in 1995 criticized Muralitharan, the leading wicket-taker in Tests and one-day internationals, for chucking.

He said umpires were prepared to turn a blind eye as the player edged towards international retirement.

But ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat backed the international team of officials.

"I've got full confidence in the elite panel of umpires, in the rules we have in place - and it's up to the umpires to apply them.

"I'm afraid Darrell is no longer part of the panel and his opinion is just that," the South African added.

Muralitharan, 38, is retiring from international cricket at the end of the current World Cup, taking place in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.