Spot-fixing clouds on third Ashes Test, CA denies`
Ahead of the third Ashes Test in Perth, a report on The Sun claimed that two spot-fixers targeted the Perth match and also offered to provide details regarding the rigged periods of play. Later, Cricket Australia denied the charges and stated that they have confidence in their players and officials.
Just before the start of the Perth Test between Australia and England, a British newspaper, The Sun, alleged that two Indian bookies had offered to sell the details of rigged periods of play in the Test in Perth which could be bet on to win huge sums. Not any Australia or England players were named as being involved. In this game, England is battling to avoid going 3-0 down in the five-Test series while Australia wanted to seal the series as soon as possible.
However, James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, stated that there is "no evidence" the third Ashes Test has been targeted by spot-fixers and firmly backed the integrity of Australian cricket.
"There is no evidence, substance or justification based on the dossier of information the ICC
"There is no substance that this Test match or the Ashes series is subject to corrupt activities. There is no evidence, substance or justification that any player on either side or match official
Sutherland admitted that the concern is serious but there is no reason to put finger on their own players as he added that all players were educated on a regular basis about the risks of corruption.
"We have absolute confidence in our players, team officials and others involved in our game. Our players are educated on a regular basis on the risk of corruption in our game. We have zero tolerance approach to anti-corruption and we take seriously any allegations that undermine the integrity of our sport.
"I don't think that anyone should believe we are complacent on this issue and we are aware of the risks of corruption in cricket," he added.
The England Cricket Board stated that they are agreed to work closely with the ICC, while also said that there was "no suggestion" that anyone in the England team was involved in the allegations.
"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," said the ICC's anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall.
"We take the allegations extremely seriously and they will be investigated by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit working with anti-corruption colleagues from Member countries. 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," he added.
