ICC Will Examine Evidence of Match Fixing Provided by Sensational Article in Magazine

Taking cognizance of the latest in the way of match fixing allegations, the ICC will attempt to decipher the truth of the matter when they analyze the evidence provided by a sports magazine in India.

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Sports Illustrated India came out with an article claiming to have about 400 minutes of taped conversation that pointed out to certain cricketers having illegal links with bookmakers and that match fixing has been rampant within the sport. It further threatened to expose the nefarious links between cricketers, bookies, politicians and even cricket officials. While some of the conversations are in their possession apparently, the sports magazine refused to name any of the cricketers, and they allege that there are Indian cricketers are involved as well, and let the ICC and the BCCI run its course.

After waiting on the story, the ICC has finally decided to act on the matter with the ICC Anti Corruption Unit set to take charge of the evidence in the hands of the magazine and investigate them thoroughly before drawing their own conclusions on the matter.

The action comes even as the former Sri Lankan captain, Hashan Tillekeratne, threatened to spill beans on the match fixing in Sri Lanka and had asked for additional protection after receiving death threats. However, it is not known whether the ICC has been in touch with him or whether he has been able to pass on any information. While that continues to cause ripples in the Emerald Isles, closer to home, the magazine revelations have not been given much attention to by the cricketers themselves who have refused to discuss the topic and the BCCI authorities whose actions are still unclear about proceeding in light of this latest claims.

If this story holds merit, as it would seem to given the length to which information was procured over a period of time, it will shake the cricket world, although it has not quite had the effect yet perhaps because of the weariness involved in indulging in the many allegations. But evidence reportedly in their hands, it should be interesting how this story develops further following the spot fixing scandal involving Pakistan cricketers and the match fixing saga of 2000 involving the late Hansie Cronje that left many questions about the sport.