NZ's biggest sporting scandal: NZ stars targeted in cricket cheating probe

NZ's biggest sporting scandal: NZ stars targeted in cricket cheating probe

5 December, 2013   
nzherald.co.nz
Up to three Kiwis are believed to be involved in an international investigation

A global anti-corruption unit investigating cricket match-fixing is poised to blow the lid off the biggest sporting scandal in New Zealand's history.

The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) has been in New Zealand during the past four months as part of an investigation into match- and spot-fixing.

It is believed up to three former New Zealand cricketers are involved in fixing that allegedly occurred in more than one country.

"It's a difficult situation," New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said. "New Zealand Cricket is aware the ICC is investigating some former New Zealand cricketers.

"Unfortunately, we are not in a position to comment further and all inquiries have to be directed to the ICC."

The probe relates to historic games featuring international stars. It is believed none of the players under investigation is still playing professionally.

The usual ways of manipulating cricket matches are to concede runs through deliberate poor bowling or to score slowly while batting.

Normal practice in these circumstances is for a young or vulnerable player to be "groomed" by a senior player with links to bookmakers, whose clients stand to gain millions of dollars.

Players involved could face bans from cricket ranging from a few years to life, depending on the level of co-operation with the ICC.

As laws covering match- and spot-fixing vary from country to country, it is not known whether any criminal charges could follow.

The ICC's anti-corruption and security unit's Australasian head, John Rhodes, is involved in the inquiry.

The Herald approached the ICC last night to confirm the investigation, but a representative said: "The ICC does not comment on any anti-corruption or ACSU activities taking place."

When the official was asked if they could specifically deny an investigation involving New Zealand players was taking place, the "we don't comment at all" line was repeated.

The investigation findings are expected to provide sobering evidence that New Zealanders are likely to have been involved in the upper reaches of cheating.

The revelations will be a concern for New Zealand Cricket, and a potential hammer blow as the country prepares to co-host the 2015 World Cup with Australia.

Although the investigation has concentrated on cricket at a domestic or franchise level, there is little way of knowing - without the ICC revealing all its findings - how far some of the tentacles have extended into the international sphere.

Last year, in a London Sunday Times report, one of Delhi's most influential bookmakers, Vicky Seth, told an undercover reporter match-fixing was rife and "will always carry on" because of the millions of dollars which changed hands after matches.

"It's easy to do as long as people don't talk," he told the Sunday Times. "Obviously the big money is to be made in big matches - test matches, Twenty20s, the IPL (Indian Premier League) and BPL (Bangladeshi Premier League)."

The most startling revelation from a New Zealand perspective was that Seth claimed to have paid at least two New Zealand players to cheat.

"At the moment we've got connections with New Zealanders," he said. "I did some fixing with (names a player) and (names another player) in 2010. I met them direct in Delhi."

Another bookie interviewed said he had been offered a chance to sign up New Zealanders.

ICC has confirmed investigation into former New Zealand Cricketers.