Cricket Australia and ECB fire back over allegations of spot-fixing in internationals made by Al Jazeera

CRICKET Australia has again been forced to jump in and defend players after more allegations of spot-fixing from 15 international matches were levelled at players across three countries.

15 international matches have been identified by Al Jazeera as having been involved in spot-fixing.

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NEW allegations of match fixing in 12 matches involving Australia and England in 2011-12 have been dismissed by cricket officials in both countries.

Broadcaster Al Jazeera made the new allegations in a documentary which aired over the weekend, at the same time International Cricket Council anti-corruption officials are in Sri Lanka conducting a significant investigation.

But the latest claims, which once again focus on Indian criminals working with Indian bookmakers and referred to five matches involving Australia but didn’t name any players, were brushed off by cricket officials.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has called on Al Jazeera to release its materials to the ICC. Picture: Getty

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Both the ICC, Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board said their own investigations had found no evidence of wrong doing. They again called on Al Jazeera to make available any significant evidence they obtained in their investigations.

Australian Cricketers’ Association Chief Executive Alistair Nicholson said the players were “sick and tired” of claims that couldn’t be substantiated.

“The players and the ACA remain committed to taking genuine match fixing claims seriously and co-operating in any investigation process should it be required,” Nicholson said.

This is not the first time Sutherland has been forced to address spot-fixing claims. Picture: AFP

“However, as I said two months ago, enough is enough when it comes to unsupported accusations which unfairly tarnish player’s reputations.

“The players are sick and tired of being subject to accusations, without the proper evidence to substantiate it.”

Outgoing CA boss James Sutherland reiterated the players had done nothing wrong.

“Prior to the broadcast of Al Jazeera’s documentary, Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit conducted a review of the latest claims by Al Jazeera, from a known criminal source, and, from the limited information provided by Al Jazeera, our team have not identified any issues of corruption by any current or former player, including in relation to Big Bash League matches,” CA boss James Sutherland said.

“We have full confidence in our players in also protecting the game, and we are working closely with the ACA to keep them informed of any developments.”

Nicholson also defended the players, while saying all “genuine match-fixing claims” would be taken seriously.

“The players and the ACA remain committed to taking genuine match fixing claims seriously and cooperating in any investigation process should it be required,” Nicholson said.

“However, as I said two months ago, enough is enough when it comes to unsupported accusations which unfairly tarnish players reputations.

“The players are sick and tired of being subject to accusations, without the proper evidence to substantiate it.”

Added the ECB: “Whilst the limited information we have been given by Al Jazeera is poorly prepared and lacks clarity and corroboration, it has been properly assessed.

“Analysis of this by the ECB Integrity Team has cast no doubt on the integrity or behaviour of any England player, current or former.

“The ECB takes its responsibilities on anti-corruption and preserving the integrity of cricket very seriously.

“The materials we have been given have been referred to the ICC’s Anti- Corruption unit and we will continue to work with them, as is the correct procedure for protecting the game.”

Earlier this year Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell said he was “shocked and hurt” when his maiden Test century in Ranchi in 2017 was called in to question by Al Jazeera.

In that documentary, a criminal claimed two unnamed Australian batsmen were paid off to bat slowly during a period of play in the Test, a period when Maxwell was batting.

The claims were investigated and no evidence found of any wrong doing.

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Originally published as Cricket Australia and ECB fire back over allegations of spot-fixing in internationals made by Al Jazeera