CA responds to Ashes, BBL fixing reports

Cricket Australia says reports of alleged attempts of spot-fixing in the third Magellan Ashes Test and upcoming matches in the KFC Big Bash League are a "serious concern", reiterating its zero-tolerance approach to corruption. 

The International Cricket Council has launched an investigation after UK newspaper The Sun published purported evidence of bookmakers offering to sell details of rigged periods of play for betting purposes.

"The allegations raised by media outlets are of serious concern. Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach against anybody trying to bring the game into disrepute," a CA spokesperson said.

"Cricket Australia will co-operate fully with any ICC Anti-Corruption Unit investigation."

The report in The Sun suggests video information on fixes are heard to be worth around $AUD 200,000.

"Before match, I will tell you this over, this runs and then you have to put all the bets on that over," a man, who the newspaper claims is a bookmaker, says in purportedly undercover video footage.

There is also mention of fixing "four to five" BBL matches.

In a statement issued on Thursday ahead of the third Test, the ICC's anti-corruption manager Alex Marshall says he's confident there's no evidence to suggest the match has been corrupted.

"We have now received all materials relating to The Sun investigation," said Marshall. "We take the allegations extremely seriously and they will be investigated by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit working with anti-corruption colleagues from Member countries.

"From my initial assessment of the material, there is no evidence, either from The Sun or via our own intelligence, to suggest the current Test Match has been corrupted.

"At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication that any players in this Test have been in contact with the alleged fixers. 

"The allegations are wide ranging and relate to various forms cricket in several countries, including T20 tournaments. We will look closely at all the information as part of our investigation."

All players who take part in CA competitions complete anti-corruption education. 

"Australian cricket has a long-standing, proactive approach to sports integrity management and Cricket Australia has a dedicated Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) to prevent corruption within Australian domestic comptetitons, including the BBL," a CA spokesperson said.

"In addition to this, all players participating in CA sanctioned competitions, including the BBL, are required to complete an anti-corruption education session before they can compete.

"CA works closely with the ICC ACU on all international fixtures played in Australia.

"Players are able to report any suspicions they have on a confidential basis and in the past there has been a strong Australian player culture to do so."

The Sun's report alleges that bookmakers are working with a "fixer" involved in Australian cricket who "is said to work with former and current internationals including a World Cup-winning all-rounder". 

It suggests that corrupt players signal to bookmakers that a fix is on with subtle gestures such as changing their gloves.

The report names former Indian state cricketer Sobers Joban, who played representative junior cricket for Delhi, as one of the alleged fixers. 

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed there's no suggestion any England players are involved.

"The ECB work closely with the ICC and their Anti-Corruption unit to protect the integrity of the international game," an ECB spokesperson said..

"We are aware of these allegations and there is no suggestion that any of the England team is involved in any way."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21