Ashes 2017: Investigation launched into alleged attempts to spot-fix third Test
An undercover investigation by The Sun alleges to have uncovered evidence of spot-fixing in the third Test, which begins on Thursday
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Your support makes all the difference.Cricket Australia will work closely with the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit after allegations of spot-fixing in the third Ashes Test emerged on Wednesday.
Ahead of the first day of play in Perth, an investigation by The Sun alleged that two Indian bookmakers had asked reporters from the newspaper for up to £140,000 to fix particular passages of play.
In undercover video footage, the bookmakers refer to corrupt players as their “puppets” who follow “scripts”, allowing insiders to make money on the number of runs scored in a session and when wickets will be taken.
No individual players from either Australia or England are named in the report. The English Cricket Board (ECB) said there is “no suggestion that any of the England team is involved in any way.”
In a statement, a Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “The allegations raised by media outlets are of serious concern. Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach against anybody trying to bring the game into disrepute.
“Cricket Australia will co-operate fully with any ICC Anti-Corruption Unit investigation.
“Australian cricket has a long-standing, proactive approach to sports integrity management and Cricket Australia has a dedicated Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) to prevent corruption within Australian domestic competitions, including the BBL (Big Bash League, Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition).
“In addition to this, all players participating in CA-sanctioned competitions, including the BBL, are required to complete an anti-corruption education session before they can compete.
“CA works closely with the ICC ACU on all international fixtures played in Australia. Players are able to report any suspicions they have on a confidential basis and in the past there has been a strong Australian player culture to do so.”
The ECB statement read: “The ECB works closely with the ICC and their Anti-Corruption unit to protect the integrity of the international game.
“We are aware of these allegations and there is no suggestion that any of the England team is involved in any way.”
An ICC spokesperson told The Sun: “These are serious allegations and of grave concern. Our anti-corruption unit will continue working to uphold integrity in cricket focusing on education, prevention and disruption of any attempts to corrupt, including in relation to the third Test in Australia.”
England currently trail the five-match series 2-0 and must win the third Test in Perth in order to have any chance of retaining the urn.
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