Ashes fixing storm: ICC’s concern over betting scandal

The International Cricket Council spoke of its ‘grave concern’ on Wednesday night after receiving information allegedly relating to attempts to fix the third Ashes Test in Perth.

The Sun newspaper handed over a dossier to the world game’s governing body following an investigation in which two Indian men — Sobers Joban and Priyank Saxena — claimed they could influence events in the most famous Test series of them all. 

Although it was reported that no England players are involved in any potential wrongdoing, the two men — who were secretly filmed during what the newspaper described as a ‘four-month investigation’ — insisted they were working with a fixer in the Australian game known as the Silent Man. 

Information has arrived to the ICC which allegedly relates to match-fixing the third Ashes Test

Australia captain Steve Smith (left) and his England counterpart Joe Root hold aloft the urn

Australia captain Steve Smith (left) and his England counterpart Joe Root hold aloft the urn

Joban, a former age-group Indian cricketer, and Saxena, a tobacco businessman and bookie, claimed players they work with signal that a fix is on using small gestures out in the middle, such as a change of gloves. 

Joban told undercover reporters: ‘I will give you work in Ashes Test. Session runs. Maybe day one, two, three. We have two session work, one session costs 60 lakh rupees (£69,000), two sessions 120 lakh rupees (£138,000). 

‘If you are interested Priyank will talk to the Silent Man. If you want to go with him all right, but you will not sit in meeting. I don’t know what he give, script or session. Right now if I tell you he want one crore (£116,000), he might want five crores (£580,000).’ 

Should the ICC’s own investigations uncover evidence to confirm the story, it would be the biggest blow to cricket’s credibility that the game has ever suffered.  

The ICC’s anti-corruption unit (ACU), now headed by ex-Hampshire policeman Alex Marshall, was already investigating as many as seven incidents of potential wrongdoing in the world game.

The WACA in Perth is set to host its final Ashes Test match with play to begin on Thursday

The WACA in Perth is set to host its final Ashes Test match with play to begin on Thursday

This iconic ground is the venue for the third Test where two Indian men - Sobers Joban and Priyank Saxena - claimed they could influence events. Australia currently lead the series 2-0

This iconic ground is the venue for the third Test where two Indian men – Sobers Joban and Priyank Saxena – claimed they could influence events. Australia currently lead the series 2-0

Two international captains — Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed and Zimbabwe’s Graeme Cremer — have both reported recent illegal approaches by bookmakers in recent weeks, while a third captain, whose identity has not been disclosed, is also of interest to the ACU. 

According to The Sun, The Silent Man works with ‘former and current internationals, including a World Cup-winning all-rounder’. 

The ICC were quoted on Wednesday night as saying that the latest revelations were of ‘grave concern’ and they confirmed they are launching a probe.

A statement read: ‘We have now received all materials relating to the Sun investigation. 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.’

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has reported illegal approaches by bookmakers recently

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has reported illegal approaches by bookmakers recently

Cricket Australia said: ‘The allegations raised by media outlets are of serious concern. Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach against anybody trying to bring the game into disrepute, and will co-operate with any ICC investigation.’

The report stopped short of saying a fix had been arranged for the Perth Test, which start in the early hours of Thursday morning as England look to find a way back into the series, but the ICC will now face pressure to assure cricket fans that the Ashes are well and truly above board.

The England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement on Wednesday night saying: ‘The ECB work closely with the ICC and their anti-corruption unit to protect the integrity of the international game.

‘We are aware of these allegations and there is no suggestion that any of the England team are involved in any way.’



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