ICC confirms receiving Oz report on bookie

Dubai, Aug 19 (PTI) The International Cricket Council
Wednesday said it has received a report from the Australia
team management that a suspected bookie had approached one of
their players in London and praised the cricketer for bringing
the matter to notice.

"The ICC can confirm that its Anti-Corruption and
Security Unit (ACSU) has received a report from the Australia
team management concerning an approach to one of its players
by a man suspected of links to illegal bookmaking," the ICC
said in a statement here.

"There is no evidence of any illegal activity as a result
of this approach, which took place following the second Test
at Lord's in July, and the ICC would like to place on record
its praise for the player approached and the Australia team
management for reporting the issue," it said.

"Approaches to players do happen and it would be naive to
assume otherwise; if they did not then there would be no need
for the continuing existence of the ACSU.

"However, the ICC is confident that all approaches are
being reported, it is proud of systems and education processes
in place which have created a widespread culture of integrity
among the world's top players and it is pleased those players
have confidence in the ACSU to report such matters," the
statement read.

The ICC did not disclose the identity of the player who
was approached in the bar of Australia's hotel in London.

"The ICC does not intend to reveal specifics of any
approaches to players because doing so would have the
potential to be counter-productive to any investigations and
also to relationships of trust the ACSU has developed," the
statement said.

The governing body, however, dismissed reports claiming
that bookies made similar approach to players during the
Twenty20 World Cup.

"There is no indication that any matches in the current
Ashes series or the ICC World Twenty20 2009 have been affected
by corruption in any way and the ICC is confident the issue is
under control," it said.


ICC General Manager – Cricket David Richardson said the
game needed to retain its integrity and stay clear of
corruption.

"Cricket is more popular than ever before and with that
popularity comes the opportunities for growth but also
challenges such as the one highlighted by the approach to an
Australian player.

"The ICC, its members and the ACSU will continue to deal

effectively with these challenges to ensure the game remains a
great sport with a great spirit," added Richardson. PTI AY
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