England, Australia rubbish spot fixing claims

Allegations of spot-fixing by English cricketers have been dismissed by the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Integrity Team and Cricket Australia.

The Al Jazeera television network said it had uncovered evidence of corruption in international cricket, including “a small group” of England players in seven matches between 2010 and 2012. Unnamed Australia and Pakistan players were also accused by the broadcaster in a documentary broadcast on Sunday. “Whilst the limited information we have been given by Al Jazeera is poorly prepared and lacks clarity and corroboration, it has been properly assessed,” the ECB said in a statement.

“Analysis of this by the ECB Integrity Team has cast no doubt on the integrity or behaviour of any England player, current or former.

“The ECB takes its responsibilities on anti-corruption and preserving the integrity of cricket very seriously.

“The materials we have been given have been referred to the ICC’s AntiCorruption unit and we will continue to work with them, as is the correct procedure for protecting the game.”

Spot-fixing occurs when players agree to manipulate part of a match by, for example, bowling a wide on a particular delivery or ensuring a particular run rate. Corruption doesn’t usually affect the overall outcome of the match but gamblers in the know can use the information to beat the betting market.

Cricket Australia’s outgoing chief executive James Sutherland said it took “a zero-tolerance approach” to any attempts to compromise the integrity of the game.

The CA integrity unit had reviewed the claims, he added in a statement. “Our team have not identified any issues of corruption by any current or former player,” he said. “We urge Al Jazeera to provide all un-edited materials and any other evidence to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.”