Sir Paul Condon's report was published on Wednesday and contains revelations about match-fixing and its continuation in the game.

"I think it's an extremely helpful document. It recognises there are serious problems and those problems have not gone away," Greig told the BBC World Service.

Former South African opening batsman Barry Richards offers an honest warning, though.

"Some corruption is unavoidable in light of how many cricketers there are - it's a fact of life," he said.

Greig said: "The most significant thing of all is the observation by Condon that the current corporate governors within cricket are totally inadequate.

"If you cannot govern the game from the top, then things are going to go wrong underneath - that applies to cricket, business and any walk of life.

Richards, who is honorary president of the federation of international cricketers, believes players have a greater role to play in what should be a world governing body.

"There are no reasons why former players such as Tim May and David Graveney could not be involved," he said.

A nasty business

Although Greig is concerned over the linking of corruption with serious criminal offences, he emphasised the importance for people not to hide any information.

"As significant as anything, is that there is definitely a serious underworld involvement which extends to things as nasty as murder and kidnapping," he said.

"There is the fear that some people have chosen not to say anything in fear of something happening to their next of kin.

"I've heard stories of kidnapping. I can understand people being scared initially but alot of people are doing alot of talking right now.

"But you don't want to be branded as one of those who won't say anything."

Richards is quick to point out that the sub-continent is more likely to be involved in 'match-fixing' and will continue to be while the disparity in wages prevails.

"Players performing for Zimbabwe and Bangladesh - and umpires - are bound to be targeted," he said.

There is a belief that corruption has been prevalent in the game for the last 30 years, but Greig and Richards admit they had never been exposed to such misdemeanours.

"We've suspected that one or two games played between counties may well have been a little suspect. I think it's stretching it that this goes back to the 1970s," said Greig.

"There were a few naughty things done in those days but the real issue is the involvement of the underworld and the huge dollars involved."

Despite the gloom that has surrounded the report's publishing, Greig remains optimistic about the effect the recommendations will have on the game.

"If you have this document and you have the recognition by the cricket bodies that they have to really get serious. Then I think we may just get somewhere," he said.

"There's lots of money pouring into it, through television in particular. This is a huge business."