Cricket: Chris Cairns challenges ICC over fixing claims

Former NZ cricketer Chris Cairns. Photo / ODT

Former test allrounder Chris Cairns has sent a defiant message to the International Cricket Council, challenging its anti-corruption investigators to approach him directly if his name has been linked to match-fixing.

Cairns was named in media reports this week as one of three former New Zealand players at the center of an investigation into match and spot-fixing being conducted by the ICC anti-corruption and security unit.

The

Star-Times

newspaper published on its front page on Sunday an article written by Cairns in which he describes allegations he has been involved in fixing as "sickening" and says his new career as a media commentator was "potentially in ruins."

After a newspaper revealed this week that ACSU members had been in New Zealand over the past four months investigating the possible involvement of New Zealanders in match and spot-fixing, the ICC issued a statement confirming the existence of an investigation. The statement said the ICC "has indeed been working closely over the past few months with its colleagues in the domestic anti-corruption units of member boards to investigate these and related matters."

Former test opening batsman Lou Vincent immediately issued a statement saying he was one of the players under investigation and said he was co-operating fully with the ACSU.

Cairns later said he was shocked to find he had been named and said he had not been contacted by ACSU investigators or notified of any inquiry. In his article on Sunday, Cairns said "no-one from the International Cricket Council or New Zealand Cricket has approached me about this investigation.

"My position is that I have always said and continue to say that I will fully co-operate with all inquiries and that if it is alleged against me that I have match-fixed, this is wholly, completely and totally untrue, accepting of course that if allegations are made they must be fully and properly investigated."

Cairns said he was subject to "trial by media and innuendo."

"Of course I want this garbage to stop and stop quickly," he said. "But I never hid on the cricket field and I'm not hiding now. I'm proud of my reputation and proud of my family name. My accusers know my name even if I don't know theirs.

"My name is Chris Cairns, former Black Cap and proud holder of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Hello International Cricket Council. I am not a cheat and you know where to find me."

- AP