BCCI decides to wait and watch on pitchfixing sting
CAUTIOUS Board says will act only if former cricketer Robin Morris is found guilty by ICC probe NEW DELHI:
The BCCI on Sunday reacted cautiously to a sting operation which alleged pitch doctoring in three Test matches featuring India, saying it would consider action against implicated former cricketer Robin Morris only if he is found guilty in an ongoing ICC probe.
The sting has been carried out by Al Jazeera channel and the Test matches in question are India vs Sri Lanka (Galle, July 26-29, 2017), India vs Australia (Ranchi, March 16-20, 2017) and India vs England (Chennai, December 16-20, 2016).
The first and third Tests mentioned were won by India while the Ranchi encounter ended in a draw.
“We believe ICC has started its probe. Let them complete that and pronounce Morris guilty. The BCCI will only act when they have the verdict in hand,” said a senior office-bearer of the Board.
He also said that Morris, who has played 42 first-class and 51 List A matches in his career is not currently involved in any BCCI projects.
“We need to check with our Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) whether Morris’ name was there on the suspect list. Secondly, he is not associated with any BCCI or state unit project currently from where we need to pull him out.
“So the only thing left is BCCI domestic cricketers’ pension of ~22,500 (after deductions). If he is getting that pension, BCCI is well within its rights to cancel that but only after he has been proven guilty,” the official said.
Morris, on his part, has reportedly denied any wrongdoing and has cried conspiracy.
In the documentary titled, Morris, alleged to be a matchfixer, is seen introducing Galle curator Tharanga Indika to the undercover reporter and boasting about getting pitches doc- tored as sought by fixers. The ICC has launched an investigation into the matter. Morris, along with former Pakistan cricketer Hasan Raza (world record holder for being youngest-ever Test cricketer), is allegedly seen in the video bragging about their connections and ability to fix pitches through groundsmen.
The Mumbai cricketing fraternity wasn’t shocked by the allegations against Morris. “Had his best days coincided with IPL, he would have been a good domestic pick. But he went to the rebel (defunct) Indian Cricket League after taking 8 wickets for Mumbai in Irani Trophy,” a Mumbai cricket insider said.
CA SEEKS EVIDENCE
Reacting to allegations made by Al Jazeera about spot-fixing in a Test involving Australia in India, Cricket Australia (CA) has asked for raw footage and un-edited material to investigate the matter.
“Together with the ICC, we are aware of the investigation by Al Jazeera into alleged corruption in cricket,” CA chief executive James Sutherland was quoted as saying by Cricinfo in a statement.
“Although not having been provided an opportunity to view the documentary or any raw footage, our long-standing position on these matters is that credible claims will be treated very seriously and fully investigated. Cricket Australia will continue to fully co-operate with the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit in its review of the matter.”
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