An undercover investigation by The Sun showed footage of two Indian bookmakers claiming they could influence games
The head of the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit says the governing body will take new allegations of match-fixing seriously but he is convinced the integrity of the third Ashes Test has not been compromised.
A report in The Sun on Thursday claims two Indian bookmakers asked undercover reporters for £140,000 to fix certain passages in play over two sessions during international clashes.
Video shows the individuals in question claim the players are “puppets” who follow their “scripts”.
No Australia or England players are implicated but the ICC, Cricket Australia and the ECB have all stressed their commitment to investigating all suggestion of match-fixing within the sport.
Alex Marshall, the general manager of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit, said: “We have now received all materials relating to the Sun investigation. We take the allegations extremely seriously and they will be investigated by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit working with anti-corruption colleagues from member countries.
“From my initial assessment of the material, there is no evidence, either from the Sun or via our own intelligence, to suggest the current Test match has been corrupted. At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication that any players in this Test have been in contact with the alleged fixers.
“The allegations are wide-ranging and relate to various forms cricket in several countries, including T20 tournaments. We will look closely at all the information as part of our investigation.
“We ask anyone with information about these allegations to get in touch with the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit via contactacu@icc-cricket.com.”
A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “The allegations raised by media outlets are of serious concern. Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach against anybody trying to bring the game into disrepute.
“Cricket Australia will co-operate fully with any ICC Anti-Corruption Unit investigation.
“Australian cricket has a long-standing, proactive approach to sports integrity management and Cricket Australia has a dedicated Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) to prevent corruption within Australian domestic competitions, including the BBL (Big Bash League, Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition).
“In addition to this, all players participating in CA-sanctioned competitions, including the BBL, are required to complete an anti-corruption education session before they can compete.
“CA works closely with the ICC ACU on all international fixtures played in Australia. Players are able to report any suspicions they have on a confidential basis and in the past there has been a strong Australian player culture to do so.”
The ECB statement read: “The ECB works closely with the ICC and their Anti-Corruption unit to protect the integrity of the international game.
“We are aware of these allegations and there is no suggestion that any of the England team is involved in any way.”
The Sun report said the Indian bookmakers claimed they could influence games through an Australian fixer named ‘The Silent Man’.
They also alleged they could spot-fix games in the Big Bash and IPL.
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