England and Sri Lanka to be alerted prior to bilateral series

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on October 3 that the players will be educated about the risk of “corrupters” approaching them during the upcoming series between England and Sri Lanka on the latter’s soil. This is a preventive measure being taken by cricket’s world body amid fears of match-fixing.

The ICC’s anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall said Sri Lanka was the subject of corruption probes and the tour itself was not under any suspicion. England will play five ODIs, one T20I and three Tests in Sri Lanka between October 10 and November 27.

“However, I will take the opportunity to brief both the teams over the coming days to ensure they remain alert to the risks from would be corrupters,” Sport24 cited Marshall as saying in a statement.

Al Jazeera came up with alarming documentary in May

TV channel Al Jazeera came up with a documentary in May which showed a grounds staff member and a player allegedly discussing possibilities of changing the wicket at Galle where the first Test of the series will start on November 6.

The ground staff members, Tharanga Indika, and cricketer Tharindu Mendis allegedly speculated about pitch-fixing to ensure that a result was found inside four days. Both the individuals have been suspended by the Sri Lankan cricket board, pending the world body’s probe. A provincial coach named Jeevantha Kulathunga was also suspended.
Marshall said ICC investigators have reached Sri Lanka though declined to reveal the details.

“I can confirm that we have, at their request, provided a detailed briefing to the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister and Sports Minister,” he was quoted as saying.

A former curator at Galle Jayananda Warnaweera was suspended by the ICC for refusing to cooperate with a corruption probe and his three-year ban concludes next January.

Although no big name in Sri Lankan cricket has ever been convicted of corruption, charges of match-fixing against Sri Lankan players and umpires have surfaced in the past.

The Al Jazeera documentary made an impact as Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha promised tougher laws and a special police unit to deal with match-fixing, a menace rampant in these parts of the world.

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