Ebrahim, though, said on the eve of the Headingley Test that he had been swayed by the knowledge that this was Donald's first offence. ``By reputation he is a fine man. He deserves a second chance,'' Ebrahim said.

Donald, who has been fined £600, half his match fee, is therefore cleared to play today, Ebrahim having suspended the ban for 12 months on condition the player does not again breach the International Cricket Council code of conduct.

Nevertheless, the Zimbabwean official had strong words for Donald's remarks about Kitchen and said: ``Mr Kitchen is a man of impeccable integrity and carried out his duties at Trent Bridge with absolute honesty and in good faith.''

Ebrahim said Kitchen had been the first person ``to hold up his hand and own up'' to his mistakes. ``He left the ground not with his head held up high but a person torn by self doubt.''

``Umpires have a thankless task where they are called on to make instant decisions within seconds. They don't have the benefit of TV replays and are required to make these in the heat of the moment.''

In the circumstances, Donald's remarks called for ``the strongest condemnation. For one professional to criticise another when procedures exist for it to be done in an organised manner is reprehensible and I strongly deprecate Donald's conduct''.

Although Kitchen intimated after Trent Bridge that he was thinking of giving up umpiring, an English Cricket Board spokesman said he was still expected to stand in the England-Sri Lanka one-day international later this month.