Aussies cleared of IPL spot-fixing but more arrests expected

ALL five Australians who play for the Rajasthan Royals will be questioned as part of a major police investigation into spot-fixing charges.

ALL five Australians who play for the Rajasthan Royals will be questioned as part of a major police investigation after three of their Indian IPL teammates were arrested on spot-fixing charges yesterday.

More arrests are expected in an operation which could finally expose the murky underbelly of the billion-dollar IPL and flow into another overseas Twenty20 competition.

No suspicion surrounds the Australians at the Royals, Shane Watson, James Faulkner, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg and Shaun Tait.

However, those under investigation from other IPL teams include foreign players, with 10 matches under scrutiny from a special Delhi police unit.

Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, speaking at a media conference, denied any Australians were involved.

"No, your countrymen can rest in peace," he said.

The arrest of contracted Indian Test fast bowler Sreesanth and local domestic players Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila became a Twitter circus last night, prompting Indian media to falsely report that Tait was involved.

"I'm bewildered, I'm angry and I'm upset at the false suggestions I've been involved in any wrongdoing," Tait said in a statement, in which has also threatened possible legal action.

"While I welcome the recent statements from police clearing me of any involvement, for a few hours today I was deeply distressed by the rumours that were rapidly circulating about me, most of which were aired in the social media.

"Not only were they without foundation, they highlight the danger of a medium that deals with innuendo rather than fact, the result of which has brought my name into question.

"At no stage in my career have I engaged in spot or match fixing and I'm in discussions with my manager and legal representatives to examine how this episode unfolded and any further action I may take."

The arrested Indian players have been suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India pending the outcome of the police investigation that has targeted illegal bookmakers.

Ten bookmakers have been arrested and are providing information to the police after phone taps recorded 50 suspicious conversations.

The police action came following last Wednesday's match between the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph from Hyderabad, Faulkner said: "I don't know anything about it.

"I've been told by the franchise not to say anything."

Managers for Watson and Hogg, who are currently in India with their players, also claimed they had no knowledge of what had taken place.

A case has been registered against the Indian players in Mumbai that alleges cheating and criminal conspiracy.

The Royals released a statement saying that they had been "taken by surprise".

IPL spot fixing reaction

"We have been informed that three of our players have been called in for investigation on spot fixing in matches," the Royals said.

"We are completely taken by surprise.

"We do not have the full facts at this point and are unable to confirm anything.

"We are in touch with the BCCI (Indian board) on this matter.

"We will fully cooperate with the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation."

There has been widespread suspicion surrounding the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008.

It was particularly the case in the highly lucrative competition's early days when the BCCI refused to employ the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit because of its $1 million cost.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and teammates Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were banned after agreeing to spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord's in 2010, which included the deliberate bowling of no-balls.