Calls grow for global cricket inquiry

Khan: Worldwide cricket inquiry is needed

Former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan has added his voice to a growing number of top cricket figures demanding a worldwide inquiry into match-fixing.

He warned cricket would face further disgrace if a major inquiry was not launched.

Imran, as well as former West Indies supremo Clive Lloyd and England's Ian Botham, have been left fearing for the game's future after former South African captain Hansie Cronje was sacked for admitting to being "dishonest" to authorities.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have said that each case will be treated individually and will investigate the Cronje scandal but they have so-far rejected calls for a global inquest.

A worldwide inquiry has to be the only solution, otherwise the game may lose the respect it has earned in a hundred years

Imran Khan

Imran said: "A worldwide inquiry has to be the only solution, otherwise the game may lose the respect it has earned in a hundred years.

"The future of the game is at stake. The respective boards should not support the accused players - like Hansie Cronje was initially supported by the South African Board until his confession.

"This new episode reveals that match fixing is common in all teams; previously they were happy throwing muck on Pakistan and India alone.

Cronje scandal has rocked cricket world

"South Africa has been considered as one of the most professional sides in international cricket.

"If any player from their team falls from grace then there is definitely something very seriously wrong."

On 7 April, Cronje and three colleagues were charged by Indian police with fixing matches in a one-day series with India last month, which India won 3-2.

On Tuesday Cronje admitted receiving $15,000 from a bookmaker for providing information and forecasting matches but has denied profiting from any match-fixing.

One of the England versus South Africa matches being investigated for match-fixing is the controversial fifth test in which both sides forfeited an innings.

But top Australian umpire Barry Jarman, who was in charge of the match, said there was nothing to suggest any malpractice.

He said: "There was nothing there to suggest that anything was being manufactured."

More revelations

Former England captain Tony Greig warned South African cricket would be rocked by even more revelations following the Hansie Cronje scandal.

He said: "I happen to know there is a lot more to come relative to South Africa and their recent tour.

" I don't know whether we have just scratched the surface, but certainly there is more to come and there are other players involved and Indian players as well."

Hussain: Easy to fix matches

England captain Nasser Hussain said it was easy for skippers to fix matches.

He told BBC's On-side programme: "As a captain it's very easy to fix things.

"You are in charge of the game - tactically all the decisions are yours.

"As a batsman it's even easier. How do you decide whether someone had a bad day or they got out on purpose?"

He said English Cricket Board officials were always warning cricketers to be careful.

Hussain added: "To play for your country is a great honour and to throw a game is inexcusable. There is no excuse for match fixing."