McCullum approached to fix games

New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum has reportedly told the ICC he was offered a lucrative chance to fix games six years ago.

A British newspaper says New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was twice approached to fix matches in 2008, bringing to light further details of a worldwide fixing investigation.

The Daily Mail last week reported that former New Zealand international Lou Vincent had told International Cricket Council anti-corruption investigators that he was offered sex and cash to fix cricket matches.

The paper had seen an ICC report in which Vincent accuses at least six players of being involved in fixing and provides details of 12 games around the world between 2008 and 2012 he identifies as involving fixing.

The same newspaper on Sunday says another ICC report details the testimony of McCullum, who says a player offered him large sums to underperform during New Zealand's tour of England six years ago.

The Mail understands the man dubbed "X" is the same player for whom Vincent admitted fixing matches in both English county cricket and in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League.

McCullum told investigators he was approached by X in Kolkata before the start of the 2008 Indian Premier League where he outlined the intricacies of spread betting.

The same player met him again weeks later at a cafe in Worcester on a date falling between the Test and one-day series during the full tour of England.

McCullum said X told him how to fix games by batting slowly and explained a number of top international players were involved in fixing.

"I am sure that he mentioned names to me but I cannot remember, although I seem to think that X mainly mentioned Asian cricketers," McCullum reportedly testified.

"(He) told me that potentially he could get for me from between $US70,000-$US180,000 a game."

McCullum said player X told him he had a "good group working for him" in the ICL and took it to mean fixing.

"It was my opinion then, as it is now, that X was actively concerned in fixing ... I believed he was asking me to do the same thing for him in the IPL as others were doing in the ICL."

McCullum was told he could launder the money through property deals in Dubai. The name of a contact was provided.

He said he rejected the prospect of fixing games and was shocked by the experience.

"He was a hero who became a friend so I always found it difficult to say no," McCullum told investigators.

New Zealand Cricket released a short statement voicing its dismay that McCullum's testimony had been leaked to the media.

"We can confirm that Brendon is NOT under investigation by the ICC and his testimony has actually been applauded by them," the statement said.

"NZC has 100 per cent confidence in our captain and his role in tackling corruption."


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Source: AAP


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