Daryl Harper hails from Adelaide in South Australia. A right-hand batsman, he played with the Teachers’ College and East Torrens clubs in the Adelaide Grade cricket competition. Harper has officiated most of his matches outside Australia, which have not involved Australia.

Harper is all for use of technology in umpiring and believes that it “eases the pressure for the on-field umpires”.

He is also known for sometimes making controversial decisions that favour the Australian team, especially one involving Sachin Tendulkar. During India’s tour of Australia in 1999-2000, Harper gave Tendulkar out twice in dubious circumstances. A catch taken off Shane Warne`s bowling taken by Langer, many contend, had come from his pad.

Tendulkar was given out, leg before wicket, for 0 in the second innings, ducking into a short ball from Glenn McGrath that struck him on the shoulder as he was crouched before the stumps. Australia won the Test by 285 runs. On both occasions the umpire was Daryl Harper.

Sri Lankan cricket team also submitted an official protest against him when most of his decisions in a Test series went against them.