Willey has welcomed the return of Australian umpire Hair

Umpires Association chairman Peter Willey has backed the restoration of Darrell Hair to the Elite Panel by the International Cricket Council.

The ICC previously decided that Hair, 55, should not umpire games involving the Test playing nations after a match between Pakistan and England in 2006.

Willey told BBC Sport: "I'm glad he has come back - I hope he does well and he has a long future in cricket.

"He's a strong umpire and some people just didn't like that."

Former Test umpire Willey added: "I've always found Darrell a very honest man and I've always stuck with him."

There needs to be more backing for umpires from the people in charge Peter Willey

He also believes that there is too much pressure on umpires in modern Test cricket.

"It's very hard to be an international umpire these days - they are under pressure in every game when they have a fraction of a second to make a decision.

"There needs to be more backing for umpires from the people in charge," he added.

"Fines don't mean a lot because players get paid that much money, but suspensions is different.

"When I first started playing in the middle 1960s you respected everything the umpire did.

"There was no arguing or dissent about being given out or not out," explained Willey, who still umpires at English county level.

"County cricket is still pretty good and there is respect, but I lose a bit of heart when I see what happens with the elite umpires who don't seem to get much backing from the ICC.

"There has been talk about players being banned but nobody has been close really. Why don't the umpires get support?

"But if you think it is a waste of time telling someone off or reporting them because nothing is going to happen, you just don't bother.

"Everyone felt for Darryl as an umpire. He did what he felt was right, but he wasn't backed up and he paid the price."