SHANE: WE CANNOT BE COMPLACENT ON FIXING
Head coach Shane Burger has warned that Scottish cricket can’t afford to be complacent in the ongoing battle against match-fixing.
The Saltires are in the United Arab Emirates this week to face a host side who have had five players suspended on anticorruption charges.
Burger thoroughly condemned those involved for dragging the sport’s name through the dirt, and said Scottish cricket had to remain on high alert to avoid anything similar happening here.
He warned that anyone stepping out of line would have their international careers terminated.
The South African said: “There’s no place for this in the game in any shape, way or form. We owe it to our fans and our sponsors to make sure cricket is clean and played in the right spirit at all times.
“Coming from a South African background with, hopefully, strong morals and ethics, I’ve never quite understood how this type of thing happens. But people can sometimes be targeted in times of weakness. And it’s amazing what the power of money can do to people.
“In Associate (second tier) cricket, where the amount of money that can be earned is maybe not as much as the players want, then sometimes things like this can creep into the game. So maybe some players feel that is something they need to get in to.
“We certainly believe that our house is clean and hope it remains that way. But you can never say never so we can’t afford to be complacent around Scottish cricket.
“We have to hope we deliver the right message to the players and they take ownership and responsibility for their actions. I believe we have a set of values that we all stick to. And if anyone breaches these values then Scottish cricket won’t be for them.”
Scotland take on UAE and the United States in four matches looking to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the next 50-Over World Cup in India in 2023.
Burger added: “We’re in a pretty good space just now. We’ve got a strong squad of 14 players over here who can all make an impact in whatever way we decided to set up the team. The boys have prepared really well and we’re ready to get going.”