Just before the start of the 3rd test of the iconic Ashes series, the news of spot-fixing of the test shook the entire cricketing world. According to the British newspaper The Daily Mail, two Indian bookies were offering to spot-fix the Perth test starting on December 14th.
Bookies claimed to fix the match through an insider in Australian team which they referred to as “the silent man”, The Sun alleged two bookmakers, including an Indian “Mr. Big”, had offered to sell it details of fixed periods of play in the Test at Waca which could be bet on to win huge sums.
The Spot Fixing Scandal. #9TheCricketShow #Ashes pic.twitter.com/9UtkZahlfd
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 14, 2017
Even though the no names were disclosed, but bookies claimed to fix the number of runs in a session or an over in exchange for £140,000 through an insider.
Cricket Australia was quick to respond to the allegations and made a strong statement of their intent towards such incidences. The CA spokesperson raised serious concerns over the claims of fixing In Magellan Ashes and Big Bash League.
"It is more the spot fixing which seems to be the target." #9TheCricketShow #Ashes pic.twitter.com/bdEricGpsK
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 14, 2017
“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,” Ca spokesperson replied.
"We have absolute confidence in our players." – James Sutherland. #9TheCricketShow #Ashes pic.twitter.com/9TmcNoWD1o
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 14, 2017
ICC too was very swift to respond, Marshall, later speaking publicly about the details passed on to him by The Sun, said: “It is obviously very early stages and our priority on receiving everything late last night was to consider whether the integrity of the third Ashes Test had been compromised.
“There is no evidence, either from The Sun or via our own intelligence, to suggest the current Test Match has been corrupted. At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication that any players in this Test have been in contact with the alleged fixers.
"How could they print this without having any evidence behind it?" – Clarke. #9TheCricketShow #Ashes pic.twitter.com/XfW7sBj497
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 14, 2017
“We are taking these allegations very seriously and will follow the correct processes of a thorough investigation. We will look for clear and usable evidence that proves or disproves the allegations made. This will include looking for corroboration, speaking to key witnesses and securing all relevant evidential material.”
Although the investigation will now go on and things will be a lot clearer after that, but the allegation and claims by these two men at the moment sound nothing more than a hoax and an attempt of a smart con.
