WELLINGTON: New Zealand media reported that up to three of the country’s former cricketers are being investigated by the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit for possible involvement in match or spot fixing.
The New Zealand Herald newspaper reported Thursday that members of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit have been in New Zealand over the past four months investigating the participation of New Zealanders in fixing ”in more than one country.” The newspaper said the findings of the investigation would likely result ”in the biggest sports scandal in New Zealand’s history.”
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said ”it’s a difficult situation. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to comment further and all inquiries have to be directed to the ICC.” An ICC spokesman said ”the ICC does not comment on any anti-corruption or ACSU activities taking place.”
In a front page story Thursday, the Herald said the ICC investigation was focused on ”historic matches involving international stars.” It said the probe ”has concentrated on cricket at a domestic or franchise level” and it was not known whether it would reveal any attempt to fix international matches.
The newspaper said none of the New Zealand players involved was still playing professionally. The New Zealand government last week announced measures to combat drug taking, match fixing and the involvement of organized crime in sport, including the introduction of new laws which will make fixing a criminal offense. Those laws have yet to be enacted. -Dawn
