Cricket Australia asks for evidence as Al Jazeera sting put Ranchi Test under fixing scanner

As per Al Jazeera’s allegations, Australian batsmen played at a pace specified by the bookies during the Ranchi Test.

The Ranchi Test between India and Australia was drawn | Reuters

Cricket Australia (CA) has asked Al Jazeera to provide them the raw footage and unedited material after accusations against Australian players’ involvement in spot-fixing during the 2017 Ranchi Test sprung up.

In a statement released by Cricket Australia, CEO James Sutherland has said: "Together with the ICC, we are aware of the investigation by Al Jazeera into alleged corruption in cricket. Although not having been provided an opportunity to view the documentary or any raw footage, our long-standing position on these matters is that credible claims will be treated very seriously and fully investigated.”

“Cricket Australia will continue to fully co-operate with the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit in its review of the matter. Neither the ICC or Cricket Australia is aware of any credible evidence linking Australian players to corruption in the game. Cricket Australia and the ICC take a zero-tolerance approach against anyone trying to compromise the integrity of the game. We urge Al Jazeera to provide all un-edited materials and any other evidence to the ICC investigation team, so, if appropriate, a full and thorough investigation can be conducted," the statement further read.

As per Al Jazeera’s allegations, Australian batsmen played at a pace specified by the bookies. The names of the involved cricketers were edited in the documentary. However, Al Jazeera said it would pass on the details to the relevant authorities.

In the documentary, a person named Aneel Munawar, who apparently works for D Company, can be seen naming two Australian players to the undercover reporter as being part of the fix.

The three Test matches which are in question after the sting are – India vs Sri Lanka (Galle, July 26-29, 2017), India vs Australia (Ranchi, March 16-20, 2017) and India vs England (Chennai, December 16-20, 2016). India had won the Tests against Sri Lanka and England, while the one against Australia was drawn.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 28 May, 2018

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