'Bookies approached 56 players'
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh, who is a leading a drive to weed out corruption from cricket, has revealed that 56 international cricketers were approached by bookies in 2010.
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh, who is a leading a drive to weed out corruption from cricket, has revealed that 56 international cricketers were approached by bookies in 2010.
Waugh, who suggested the idea of introducing lie-detector tests to combat the problem, said he was pleased to see players reporting suspicious
behaviour to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit. Five cases were reported by players to the ICC in 2009.
Waugh said any captain found guilty of match-fixing should be banned for life.
"Any captain found guilty should have a lifetime ban because they set the tone and values of the side. If they are doing something wrong it's a lot easier for the younger kids to get involved in it," the 46-year-old was quoted as saying by BBC Sports.
"I don't know if the ICC is doing enough. I'd like to have some conversations with them. They are doing some good work because last year 56 players reported an approach by a bookmaker and the year before it was only five, so that suggests the players have confidence in the system and confidence that it will work," he said.
Corruption in cricket hit the headlines last year after three Pakistani players, former Test captain Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were found involved in spot-fixing during fourth Test between Pakistan and England at Lord's in August 2010.
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