Steady England in Perth No evidence to prove fixing in Ashes: ICC
Middleorder batsman gets maiden Test ton, shares unbeaten 174run stand with keeper batting on 75
PERTH: The International Cricket Council says there is no evidence the third Ashes Test had been “corrupted” after claims in a British newspaper that bookmakers offered to fix parts of the match.
The Sun newspaper published purported evidence of bookmakers offering to sell details of rigged periods of play for betting purposes in the Test in Perth.
ICC anti-corruption unit general manager Alex Marshall launched an investigation. “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 has been corrupted,” Marshall said in a statement. “At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication that any player in this Test has been in contact with the alleged fixers.
“The allegations are wide-ranging and relate to various forms of cricket in several countries, including T20 tournaments. We will look closely at all the information as part of our investigation.”
Marshall said police have not been contacted over the claims. “Nothing has been referred as yet because we are still assessing the information. If we deem that offenses have taken place in countries where match-fixing is illegal then, yes, we will work with the local police and report our concerns and share information to push for prosecution.”
The Sun said it conducted a four-month investigation, with interviews conducted at hotels in New Delhi and Dubai with two men claiming to be involved in illegal gambling. “Before match, I will tell you this over, this runs and then you have to put all the bets on that over,” a man says in the Sun’s undercover video footage.
The Sun alleged two bookmakers, including an Indian “Mr Big”, had offered to sell it details of rigged periods of play in the Test in Perth which could be bet on to win huge sums.
One of them claimed to have worked on the scam with former and current internationals including a World Cup-winning all-rounder. They said they liaised with a fixer in Australian cricket known as “The Silent Man”.
Asked if it was a good source, he said: “Absolutely correct information.”
During the video, information on fixes is estimated to be worth around $150,000. There is also mention of fixing “four to five” Big Bash League matches.