Cricket: Match-fixing probe follows Fleming

By Richard Boock

Scotland Yard detectives are expected to interview New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming as part of their investigation into match-rigging.

An inquiry team fly into India today to speak with Indian sports promoter Ashim Khetrapal about charges that he tried to offer Fleming, and before that, former England player Chris Lewis, $900,000 to fix the third test between New Zealand and England at Manchester.

The News of the World reported that Lewis said he met Khetrapal in a newsagent's last August and was offered sterling 300,000 to fix the third test at Old Trafford.

When Lewis turned him down, the paper claims Khetrapal switched his attention to the Kiwis.

New Zealand Cricket general manager Tim Murdoch says the national side will not be surprised to find the British inquiry spreading into their Indian tour, as they had been warned about possible consequences from the bribery scandal.

"We all knew there was a police inquiry being conducted so it's no great surprise that people are being spoken to," Murdoch said yesterday.

"But the bottom line is that it's still inappropriate for us to comment during the investigation."

Khetrapal is reported to have arrived in England with an un-named Indian businessman and checked into the Holiday Inn in Leicester where the New Zealand team were staying.

The paper said he later offered Fleming sterling 300,000 cash to fix the match and left his phone numbers and business card. The New Zealander apparently reported the incident immediately to his management, who contacted the ICC.

Khetrapal allegedly then offered England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart and bowler Allan Mullally sterling 300,000 each to drop catches and bowl wide.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said the entire England team would be quizzed over the bribe allegations.