Australian umpire Darrell Hair has resigned to take up a coaching role.

The 55-year-old returned to the International Cricket Council's elite panel of umpires in March after being removed in the aftermath of the row during The Oval Test between Pakistan and England in August 2006.

But he has officiated in only two Tests since his reinstatement and has now quit to become executive officer of the NSW Umpires and Scorers Association - a role he will take up on September 1.

Outgoing NSWUSA executive officer Peter Hughes told The Australian: "Darrell will concentrate on what he will do best - mentor, coaching and getting umpires up to a higher level."

Hair is currently umpiring in Toronto at a tournament involving West Indies, Bermuda and Canada.

His controversial career was halted in late 2006, soon after his decision to award five penalty runs to England for alleged ball-tampering by Pakistan in the fourth Test saw the tourists refuse to take the field after tea on the penultimate day.

Following a period of confusion it was eventually announced Pakistan had become the first team in history to forfeit a Test match.