ROOT BLASTS ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ ENGLAND MATCH-FIXING CLAIMS
ENGLAND skipper Joe Root has described unsubstantiated claims of spot-fixing in India by three of his players in a TV documentary as “outrageous”.
Root was on the front foot over the claims that parts of the Fifth Test against India in Chennai in 2016 were fixed by three England players, who were mentioned but had their names bleeped out, in a programme on the Al Jazeera channel. There has been little co-operation with the ICC or the ECB over the allegations by the programme makers, who also suggest the pitch to be used in Galle for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour is in danger of being tampered with.
Root said: “I am aware there is a documentary and it is outrageous our players have been accused.
“All the players have the full backing of the ECB. It’s not anything for the guys to worry about. We have to focus on winning at Headingley, and I’m sure the right channels will be taken by the ECB.”
The programme claims two matches at the Galle ground against India and Australia were affected by pitches produced to order, and as a result the ICC could ensure the pitch England are due to play on is monitored ahead of this winter’s tour. The ICC have launched an investigation, but the ECB are confident that none of their players are in any way involved.
Chief executive Tom Harrison said: “There is nothing we have seen that would make us doubt any of our players in any way.
“Neither ECB nor the ICC is aware of any credible evidence connecting any England players to any form of corruption.”