Spot-fixing scandal: Ashes corruption ruled out by Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland

CRICKET Australia chief executive James Sutherland has declared there is ‘no evidence, substance or justification’ to reports that the third Ashes Test has been touched by corruption.

James Sutherland has come out strongly against spot-fixing allegations. Picture: AAP

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CRICKET Australia chief executive James Sutherland has dismissed blazing match-fixing claims as “a scatter-gun story” and questioned whether there was any basis for the mud-slinging which marred day one of the third Ashes Test.

Sutherland passionately defended the integrity of his players who were only informed of The Sun report as they arrived at the WACA for play.

The secret dossier passed on by The Sun to the ICC claims that attempts to influence the Perth Test with spot fixing had been thwarted and also made allegations about attacks on the Big Bash League.

James Sutherland has come out strongly against spot-fixing allegations. Picture: AAP

Sutherland said it was illogical to think that modern day Australian cricketers – the highest paid in the world – could be vulnerable to relatively small bribes.

“It certainly seems to be a bit of a scatter-gun story, there is almost a whole lot of mud being thrown out there,” Sutherland said on Nine’s Cricket Show.

“I think what is really important for the sake of the game is the integrity of the contest. An Ashes Series has so much at stake.

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“Personally I can’t see any reason why a player from Australia or England would in any way be vulnerable in this sort of situation. They are very well paid players, they know and understand the consequences of doing the wrong thing here.

“Let’s face it it’s not that long ago where three Pakistani players were involved in something at Lord’s and it ended up with years in jail.

“So the consequences are very clear for this sort of stuff. I think that’s part of the really strong deterrence that gives us confidence our players wouldn’t do anything so silly.

Steve Smith shakes hands with Alastair Cook before play starts. Picture: AAP

“The vulnerable players are those who look at the Australian and England players and the pay they get which they feel is well below.

“The advent of T20 and certain leagues allow some players to be vulnerable. I wouldn’t see an Australian player, being educated as they are (in that position).”

England captain Joe Root said it was “sad this has been written about”.

Counterpart Steve Smith said Australian players know that anything involving match fixing is absolute taboo.

“Obviously there’s no tolerance and no place for that in our game,” said Smith.

“As far as I know there’s nothing that has been going on or anything like that, and it’s just about focusing on this Test match at this stage and hopefully getting the result we want.”

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke questioned how such scandalous claims could be thrown out there without proof.

Clarke said that players are educated to report all approaches.

“I think as a player the good thing about our sport is you are educated from a really young age. I think about playing for NSW in the under 17’s, the Under 19’s, playing first class cricket and representing

your country, you are well aware of the process if somebody does approach what you are meant to do if you hear or get wind of anything,” said Clarke.

“That’s one of the things Cricket Australia does as well as any country around the world. They make sure from a real young age you know what you need to do to make sure this game is looked after.”

Former Test star Mike Hussey said that he would be shocked if the BBL or Ashes cricket was compromised.

Hussey said on Fox that he wanted to see hard evidence rather than vague allegations and claims using mysterious titles like Mr X and The Silent Man.

Originally published as Spot-fixing scandal: Ashes corruption ruled out by Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland