ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chief warns of ‘grey area’ surrounding legends leagues

International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit chief Andrew Ephgrave has highlighted the potential risks associated with leagues featuring retired and former international cricketers. He described such tournaments as a “grey area” and warned that they could potentially lead to reputational damage for the sport.

Several former international stars continue to participate in legends and exhibition-style leagues after retiring from professional cricket. While such tournaments allow fans to watch some of their favourite players in action again, Ephgrave believes there needs to be a clear distinction between these events and officially sanctioned cricket.

“It’s a real grey area because a lot of the times they are never actually sanctioned and certainly don’t receive an ICC NoC (no-objection certificate). Domestic boards don’t sanction them or some do. But it is a bit of a grey area because a lot of the players who play in them are not in the current framework of cricket,” said the former British Police Officer was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Ephgrave acknowledged that these leagues continue to attract interest because of the iconic status of the players involved. However, he believes their popularity needs to be balanced against the potential risks associated with tournaments operating outside the established structures of international and domestic cricket.

“But quite a lot are still iconic names. I think there’s a balance between heritage and (wanting to watch) the guy that you watched as you were growing up, and the risk around it,” he explained.

Ephgrave recalls 2024 Legends League Cricket allegations

The ICC official also acknowledged that legends tournaments could potentially affect the reputation of cricket, although he pointed out that many of these competitions are essentially exhibition or festival-style events.

“It could, yeah, but I think there’s also a degree of it being sort of exhibition cricket or festival-style cricket.”

Ephgrave recalled the 2024 edition of Legends League Cricket in Sri Lanka, where allegations of corruption emerged during the tournament. While he stopped short of making any specific claim about the competition, he stressed that the possibility of corruption cannot simply be ignored.

“There was a legends’ league that took place in Sri Lanka in 2024 where there were allegations of corruption. I’m not going to sit here and say there’s no risk. But the key is about delineating between what is the official structures of cricket, and ultimately what is retired players, who are still able to produce memories and demonstrate how they can play,” he said.

According to Ephgrave, fans and stakeholders must be able to distinguish between legends leagues and officially recognised competitions such as franchise tournaments, ICC events and domestic competitions.

“It’s making sure that people recognise what that is compared to a franchise league, an ICC event, or the Ranji Trophy,” he said.

Ephgrave says players are increasingly reporting corruption

Ephgrave also revealed that the ICC's anti-corruption efforts have resulted in more players coming forward with information about potential corruption activities.

“Hundred per cent. And a big piece of work that we’ve done is about changing the perception. Historically, anti-corruption was seen as an enforcement arm of cricket, and players were like: well, who’s the person who’s held responsible?

He explained that the focus has increasingly shifted towards educating players and creating an environment where they feel comfortable reporting suspicious activities.

“Players are vulnerable and our responsibility is to educate and help them and build confidence and trust. And that’s what our engagement programmes have done,” he concluded.