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“We have been aware of this investigation for a number of months and we are shocked and surprised by the allegations”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have confirmed that their Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) are investigating a number of former New Zealand players for match and spot-fixing.
According to a report in the New Zealand Herald, the ICC’s ACSU have been conducting an investigation in the country for the past four months.
According to sources, the three New Zealand cricketers under investigation are former all-rounder Chris Cairns, batsman Lou Vincent and pace bowler Daryl Tuffey.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO David White conceded that he knew the identities of the players being investigated and added that none of them are currently playing competitive cricket.
“New Zealand Cricket is aware that the International Cricket Council is investigating a small number of New Zealand cricketers,” White said in Dunedin. “We have been aware of this investigation for a number of months and we are shocked and surprised by the allegations. We support the ICC’s investigation as corruption has no place in our our sport.
“However, I would like to clarify a number of matters. No current New Zealand players are being investigated, no games played in New Zealand are being investigated and lastly no matches under NZC jurisdiction are being investigated. This is an ongoing ICC investigation and I simply can’t comment further.”
White continued to say “no comment” when asked about the names of the players, when the alleged match and spot-fixing took place and which matches were reported to have been fixed.
The ICC issued a statement which said: “Following the publication of an article in a leading New Zealand newspaper earlier today in which it is alleged that a small number of former New Zealand cricketers had engaged in fixing activity in historic cricket matches and were being investigated by the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU), the ICC confirms that it has indeed been working closely over the past few months with its colleagues in the domestic anti-corruption units of member boards to investigate these and related matters.
“The ICC and all of its members maintain a zero-tolerance attitude towards corruption in the sport, and the ACSU will continue to collaborate with relevant individuals in order to complete its investigation process.
“Naturally, as the investigation remains ongoing and nobody has been charged with any offence, no further comment will be made by the ICC or by NZC.”