Speed is trying to wipe out corruption in cricket

The agreement will allow the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit access to information which could help identify those involved in corruption.

"This deal is part of our aim to eradicate conduct of a corrupt nature prejudicial to the interests of the sport," said ICC chief Malcolm Speed.

"We've come a long way but we can never relax and become complacent."

Betfair is the largest online betting exchange, a relatively new form of betting which has revolutionised the industry.

Problems at the betting exchange

Individuals register with the website and can act as layers or punters on markets ranging from horse racing to cricket.

Betfair takes no bets itself, rather acts as an intermediary and claims a commission on all bets struck.

The ICC's agreement is similar to those previously agreed by Betfair with the Jockey Club and the Association of Tennis Professionals.

Mark Davies, Betfair's Director of Communications, said: "We are delighted to be able to widen the breadth of agreements we have with the governing bodies of sport.

"Betfair has no vested interest in the outcome of any event and our interests are absolutely in line with those who run the events. This is good news for the integrity of sport."

The ICC is keen to stamp out the allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting that have sullied the game's reputation in recent years.

An investigation is still ongoing into the discovery of cash in Sri Lanka batsman Marvan Atapattu's hotel room last month.

Atapattu denied the cash was his, saying other people had stayed there, but no one has claimed it.

The game was rocked in June 2000 when South Africa captain Hansie Cronje admittted accepting �82,000 from bookmakers for supplying information on matches.