Ashes 2017: ICC investigates match-fixing claims after British newspaper’s undercover investigation
Cricket governing body says there is ‘no evidence’ the third test between Australia and England at the WACA has been corrupted
The International Cricket Council says there is no evidence the third Ashes test has been “corrupted” after claims emerged in a British newspaper that bookmakers had offered to fix parts of the match.
The Sun published purported evidence of bookmakers offering to sell details of rigged periods of play for betting purposes, or so-called spot fixing, in the test match between Australia and England starting on Thursday in Perth.
ICC anti-corruption unit general manager Alex Marshall issued a statement saying he had received all materials relating to The Sun’s investigation.
“From my initial assessment of the material, there is no evidence, either from The Sun or via our own intelligence, to suggest the current test match has been corrupted,” Marshall said.
“At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication that any players in this test have been in contact with the alleged fixers.
“The allegations are wide-ranging and relate to various forms cricket in several countries, including T20 tournaments. We will look closely at all the information as part of our investigation.”
Both Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board offered to cooperate with the ICC’s investigation.
The Sun said it conducted a four-month investigation, with interviews conducted at hotels in New Delhi and Dubai with two men claiming to be involved in illegal gambling.
“Before match, I will tell you this over, this runs and then you have to put all the bets on that over,” a man says in The Sun’s undercover video footage.
During the video, information on fixes is estimated to be worth around US$150,000.
There is also mention of fixing “four to five” Big Bash League matches in the Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition.
Cricket Australia said it “takes a zero-tolerance approach against anybody trying to bring the game into disrepute”.
The ECB, in a statement published by the BBC, said it was “aware of these allegations and there is no suggestion that any of the England team is involved in any way”.
Australia leads the five-match series 2-0 after victories in Brisbane and Adelaide and can regain the Ashes with a victory at the WACA, a venue where England’s only test victory was in 1978.
