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![]() | Saturday, 26 May, 2001, 18:35 GMT 19:35 UK Have you lost faith in cricket? ![]() Sir Paul Condon's initial report states that match-fixing is still widespread. Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.Has the game's reputation been damaged? Have you lost faith in cricket? Click here to register your vote. Five players have been banned for life as a result of various match-fixing inquiries.
Anti-corruption chief Condon believes there remains a core of players who are involved in cricket corruption. In spite of this, specific players have not been named in the long-awaited report. Can the 'gentleman's game' recover from this ongoing scandal? Has cricket lost its credibility? And have you lost faith in the game? It will take a long time to clear the sport from cheats. Countries like Australia and South Africa are making the matter worse by dragging their feet despite increasing evidence against their players. With reputation of England captain, Alec Stewart, still under question I for one will not be watching the current series against Pakistan or the upcoming Ashes. Surely it's time to sort out the game NOW. The gems in Australian squads (Mark Waugh and Warne) have accepted money in the past and were let off without any punishment at all by the ACB. ECB has made Stewart the captain when there are clouds of allegations hanging over him. I find it very strange that just a denial by Stewart was enough to satisfy the authorities and Lord MacLaurin, who was demanding life-bans for all suspect Pakistani players just a few months ago. No one can clean up the sport, or any other sport by turning a blind eye, so these investigations can only be a good thing for the sport in general. What I can't understand is why this action has taken so long in coming about, have these unsavoury practices been hidden from the public for a long period, if so who provided the shield?
I'm clinging to the hope that the games that have been affected are largely meaningless one-day internationals in places like Sharjah, and that test cricket (with the exception of the infamous S Africa v England test, itself pretty meaningless) has not been tampered with. Those who have taken bribes should be sought out and banned, but I don't think we should leap to the conclusion that everything has been fixed. I hope I'm not being naive! I am excited by the many talented young players coming into the game, in my country South Africa and elsewhere. I love to watch them. I only hope that they want to be part of cricket because of its many wonderful features, and until this is disproved in each case, I will watch them and support them. But at the same time, I'm scared that this cloud of corruption could affect them also. I thought the proposal that all corrupt players be omitted from the records was the best way of stopping players being involved in fixing. I can see the difficulties in doing this, but why don't those players found guilty of assisting in the fixing of games have (CHEAT) inserted next to their entries in the records? Cricket has been tarnished because of a few individuals. For an avid cricket fan, credibility is very important. While this has been tarnished, it is not lost. Those involved in this scandal of match-fixing should be banned from the sport. The sooner these match fixers are named and addressed the better it will be for health of the game. I do think it strange that England are winning again. Has our cricket really improved? If cricket these days is all about entertainment, then perhaps the administrators of the game should manage the match rigging process. This would ensure maximum entertainment, drama and tension would occur in each and every game. It would also stamp out the illegal gambling activities. Who in their right mind would bet on a game where the plot and ending have been decided from the beginning. Well done Sir Paul Condon. You have proved that match fixing is not only a problem in India and Pakistan or Sharjah it is world wide problem, even in the English county game. Is Alec Stewart guilty or not guilty of match fixing?.. The old saying comes to mind " there is no smoke without fire ". Anyone who has been match fixing has conned thousands of gamblers out of their money at the bookies. This is a traditional game which has been corrupted by greed. The guilty parties should be heavily fined, in fact why not charge them with fraud, because that is what it is. It's rather sad to see such a great game go down the tube. The root of all evil wins again.
This whole corruption thing stinks. Why not make betting legal and be done with it? After all, in a lot of sports, betting is legal and money is being made. Plus, I don't agree to the statements that cricketers don't make as much money as the stars of other sports. Look at the endorsements they get (i.e. Tendulkar, well he is on a different planet altogether). I believe cricket is still probably a relatively clean sport (not totally) but football must be 10 times worse. A silly report. All this drama just to say "London, we have a problem" ! It reflects the arrogance and ineptness of the English authorities. There is no greatness in avoiding the "naming and shaming" of players. Such convenient escapes are what aid and nurture corrupt behaviour. It would be stupid to start losing faith in cricket now just as England are starting to look good again! Why not name and shame the perpetrators of match fixing? Why not add a spell of incarceration as well? Since the corrupt/corruptors have opted to put their pockets before pride, honour and flag I say they deserve every bit that is due. Why should they be allowed to sit back and enjoy their illegal gains after all the dust has settled down?
I think the introduction of too many one day internationals are the main cause for the corruption. I think they should come out with the truth about the matches that were fixed and study the video tape to find out how they executed the plan. Why are the ECB and Australian cricket authorities quiet about Waugh, Warne and Stewart? No-one has listened to Chris Lewis. I am a great fan of cricket. No matter what happens I will still be watching cricket with great interest. The best thing that can be done is to wipe the slate immediately and look to the future. The popularity of the game, especially here in England has arguably never been stronger with a mouth watering Ashes series approaching. This should demonstrate that no corrupt player, bookmaker or incompetent administrator is bigger that this wonderful sport which has entertained millions for years. Personally, I have lost faith in the ECB more than anyone. The report is released and these guys promptly back Alex Stewart. This is really stupid. If that is the case, maybe the PCB should also back Salim Malik and Mohammed Azharruddin should be back in the game. Personally, I have lost faith in the ECB more than anyone. The report is released and these guys promptly back Alex Stewart. This is really stupid. If that is the case, maybe the PCB should also back Salim Malik and Md Azharruddin should be back in the game. The big problem is proving it. Often it's a case of 'your word against mine' and it's really only Cronje and MK that have admitted fault and named names. What worries me is, how hard were Pakistan trying at Lord's? Or, come to that, at home in the winter against England? I can't believe that sports fans are really so naive that they think sport is squeaky clean. Well, surprise surprise. it isn't. There is doping, corruption, and over-inflated ego's. Get over it and enjoy it for what it is. Professionalism in sport has meant money rules, so deal with it or stand by your convictions and don't be a supporter. I feel cheated and robbed by cricketers who take bribes to lose games, how can I possibly take a sport seriously when I know in my heart that it is FIXED. Players found guilty of this should be hanged not banned, to sell your country for money is the ultimate sin! |
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