NZC rejects ‘unsubstantiated’ spot-fixing claims
One of New Zealand’s most fondly remembered test victories was allegedly targeted by spot-fixers, a documentary on the television network claims.
But New Zealand Cricket has rejected the ‘‘unsubstantiated allegations’’ and urged the network to come forward with any information it has.
The Black Caps’ shock test win over Australia in Hobart in 2011 – their first across the Tasman in 26 years – is one of 15 international matches where the network claims to have tapes of people involved in fixing.
released a
documentary on Sunday alleging 26 planned spot-fixes in those 15 matches – including seven involving England players – with five matches including Australian stars and three Pakistani cricketers.
NZC joined its Australian and England counterparts in refusing to comment on the allegations until the network provided its information to the International Cricket Council.
‘‘NZC takes anti-corruption extremely seriously and has no wish to undermine its integrity by commenting on unsubstantiated allegations,’’ NZC’s manager of public affairs Richard Boock said.
‘‘We would, however, join the ICC and Cricket Australia in urging to make all information relating to the allegations available, in the interests of natural justice and good journalism.’’
Cricket Australia also dismissed the claims.
‘‘Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach against anyone trying to compromise the integrity of the game, and to suggest anything otherwise is unsubstantiated and incorrect,’’ CA chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement. ‘‘Prior to the broadcast of
documentary, Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit conducted a review of the latest claims by and, from the limited information provided by
our team have not identified any issues of corruption by any current or former player, including in relation to Big Bash League matches.
‘‘We have full confidence in our players in also protecting the game, and we are working closely with the ACA to keep them informed of any developments.’’
screened what it claims is a dossier of recordings which show games involving England, Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Holland, in a variety of formats, were allegedly subjected to potential spotfixes in 2011 and 2012.
The ICC’s anti-corruption unit confirmed it was ‘‘fully’’ investigating the claims. The England and Wales Cricket Board said it had referred matters relating to the national side to the ICC, but claimed its own integrity team had ‘‘cast no doubt on the integrity or behaviour of any England player, current or former’’.
The list of matches named includes a test between England and India at Lord’s, Australia’s test matches against South Africa and New Zealand, three tests between England and Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in 2012 and three matches in the 2012 World T20 tournament, including England against Afghanistan.
The documentary-makers, who first broadcast allegations of cricket corruption in May, claim they have verified the conversations, which take place in a range of 42 recordings, and say an illegal bookmaker gets 25 out of 26 ‘‘fixes’’ correct.