Here is what Harper has to say on cricketnext.com
Harper wants umpires chosen on merit not nationality
Johannesburg, March 22, 2003 (Bloomberg)
Australia's leading cricket umpire Daryl Harper, who stood in Tuesday's World Cup semifinal, said the sport's ruling body should select match officials on merit, not nationality.
Harper, 51, was overlooked for Sunday's World Cup final because Australia is playing. Since 1987, umpires have been barred from officiating their own nation's matches.
``I'm past the days of supporting any particular team,'' Harper said in an interview. `` It's ludicrous that, at this level, we're chosen on nationality and not form.''
Australia is bidding to win the event for a record third time against India. Harper, an Adelaide teacher, was appointed to the International Cricket Council's eight-man elite umpires panel last year. He is used to missing the big occasion. Australia is playing in its third straight final.
England's David Shepherd and West Indies' Steve Bucknor, also on the ICC panel, will make their third and fourth consecutive final appearance respectively Sunday.
``Those guys are outstanding umpires and the whole world knows that, so I wouldn't begrudge them anything,'' said Harper. ``But at the 2007 World Cup I'd like to read `Daryl Harper from the elite panel' not `Daryl Harper from Australia.'''