Cricket chiefs criticised over 'delay'

Chris Lewis says he informed the ECB last year

Former England all-rounder Chris Lewis has hit back at the England and Wales Cricket Board, following his claim that three England players had taken money to influence matches.

Lewis told BBC Radio Leicester he had passed all the information, except the names of the players, to the ECB last year, long before the story appeared in the newspapers.

To a large extent, my name is dirt. I feel as if I am sinking.

Chris Lewis

The Leicestershire player said he had done nothing wrong and criticised the ECB for previously showing little interest in the matter.

Lewis had been summoned to Lord's on Tuesday to explain his claims made to the News of the World.

"Of course I am angry," he said. "To a large extent, my name is dirt.

"It is very important and at the moment I feel as if I am sinking.

"The ECB were aware in August there were players names mentioned, but they weren't interested in the names.

"The police were, however and their names were lodged with the police."

The police are to investigate the allegations

Lewis publicly broke the story in the News of The World newspaper last weekend.

But he rejected criticism he had handled the situation badly.

"I didn't give the newspaper anything they didn't already know," he said.

"They just ran it from a different angle."

Police investigation

After the allegations had been made public, the ECB immediately arranged a meeting to discuss the matter and the police later announced they would investigate the claims.

An ECB spokesman said: "Mr Lewis indicated his desire to continue to co-operate fully with the Board and has put all information in his possession into the hands of the Board.

"As a result, the Board is passing this information to the police.

"At the same time, the Board will continue its investigations with a view to determining whether evidence exists in relation to betting and match-fixing which might justify disciplinary action under the Board's regulations."

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman also announced: "We are liaising with the ECB as part of our ongoing inquiry. Any information passed or made available to police will be considered as appropriate."