English county cricketer ‘offered five million quid’ to fix match

An English county cricketer has revealed that he was offered five million pounds to organize his team to fix the outcome of some games in this season.

“I knew this chap through business. All of a sudden he brought up cricket betting in India, and how people could make millions,” The Australian quoted the player, as saying.

“The money mentioned to me - for helping to fix matches rather than spot-fixing because there's much more to be made from that - was enormous. Like five million quid,” he added.

The player, who had earlier said that he was invited to “name his price” by the man who approached him, wishes to remain anonymous for fear of his own safety.

According to reports, he has also spoken to the Professional Cricketers’ Association and the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit, and they are investigating the matter.

“Match-fixing has been going on for years and it's a huge concern. I don't want to go anywhere near it. Look what happened to Hansie Cronje and Bob Woolmer. Cronje hated flying. For him to miss a flight and then book onto a cargo plane [that crashed] the next day to me doesn't stack up. Woolmer had just lost to Ireland with Pakistan, and had a book coming out,” the player said.

“I reckon he was going to blow the lid and somebody said, ‘No thanks Bob, I don't think so’,” he added.

The incident supports the idea that the fixing of results, as opposed to manipulating minor aspects of matches with “spot-fixes”, remains a major aim of corrupt bookmakers.

Earlier, on the eve of the first Test between England and Bangladesh at Lord's, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan had revealed that he was tapped by someone he believed wanted to manipulate the result of a ODI game against Ireland in 2008.

“One and possibly two of the batsmen in this team have been approached,” a source close to the players said.

Other incidents of match-fixing issues include former Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam raising questions over wicket keeper Kamran Akmal’s intentions when he dropped three crucial catches and missed an important run out in the Sydney Test against Australia, which Pakistan lost despite being in a commanding position.