Greg Blewett says shady bookies are ‘massive problem’ but ‘no way’ Australians match-fix

GREG Blewett says there’s “absolutely no way” Australian players were guilty of match-fixing against India last year.

Indian captain Virat Kohli, left, touches his injured shoulder as Australian batsman Matthew Renshaw looks on during the fifth day of the third Test between India and Australia in Ranchi in March, 2017. Picture: AFP/SAJJAD HUSSAIN.

• Match-fixing claims rock Aussie team

GREG Blewett says sandpaper-gate has proven anything is possible in Test cricket but insists there’s “absolutely no way” Australian players were guilty of match-fixing.

A criminal claims two unnamed Australian batsmen were paid to bat slowly during a period of play in last year’s drawn Test match against in India in Ranchi.

Former Test opener Blewett was with the Australian team as an assistant coach under Darren Lehmann’s reign in Ranchi and didn’t recall any irregularities.

“They were about 150 runs in front and had us under real pressure in the second innings and we hung on for a draw. If you said to me was any part of the game fixed I would have said absolutely no way,” said Blewett.

“In spot fixing they are targeting a few runs off one over so who knows. As far as I am concerned there was nothing untoward in that game.”

Australian cricketer Nathan Lyon inspects the pitch at Galle in 2016. Picture: AFP PHOTO / ISHARA S. KODIKARA

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland maintains there is no credible evidence linking Australian players to corruption despite claims were made in an (Al Jazeera) documentary against two unknown Australian players.

“It’s all allegations but Australian cricket doesn’t really need this now that is for sure,” Blewett told Triple M.

Australia’s moral standing has been blemished by the ball tampering debacle in the March Cape Town Test between South Africa and Australia.

Asked if the match fixing could have occurred as alleged in the Al Jazeera report Blewett said: “Everything is possible that is for sure.”

“If you had of told me last year that we would have produced some sandpaper in the middle of a Test match I would have said no way. Anything is possible but I would be very surprised.

Blewett said the stench and danger of corruption was never far from the minds of players and coaches when touring in the Middle East or subcontinent. Moreover it would be ignorant to think cricket was the only sport targeted by criminals and shady bookmakers.

Blewett revealed the International Cricket Council delivered briefings to team management particularly when playing in Dubai where Australia was scheduled to confront Pakistan during October.

“Especially in places like Dubai where we play quite often. We have regular meetings with the ICC and there are pictures of these guys they say are hanging around in the hotel, trying to infiltrate, get inside information,” said Blewett.

“It is a massive problem.

“In meetings with the ICC, the amount of money in betting terms they talk about is unbelievable. It is a massive problem and I think it would be naive is just in cricket.”

Sutherland has called for the unedited evidence from Al Jazeera to be made available to an ICC investigation team but reinforced there was no credible evidence linking any Australian players.

“Although not having been provided an opportunity to view the documentary or any raw footage, our longstanding position on these matters is that credible claims will be treated very seriously and fully investigated,” Sutherland said.