Cairns, Vincent, Tuffey in ICC match-fixing probe

Former all-rounder Chris Cairns acknowledged Thursday an International Cricket Council (ICC) investigation into match-fixing involving three former New Zealand cricketers.

Former all-rounder Chris Cairns acknowledged Thursday an International Cricket Council (ICC) investigation into match-fixing involving three former New Zealand cricketers.

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“We need to let the investigation by the ICC run its course,” the New Zealander said in a brief statement to Fairfax Media, adding it was the only comment he was prepared to make.

Cairns said his “heart sank” when he became aware of the allegations on Thursday.

“I’ve yet to be contacted by any of the authorities involved, NZ Cricket or ICC, so to be perfectly honest I’m as much in the dark as you guys,” Cairns said.

Cairns was working for Sky TV as a commentator in Dunedin where New Zealand are playing the West Indies, but left the ground early in the afternoon.
A Sky TV spokesman said Cairns “elected to stop commentating on the current Test match and come back to Auckland to be with his family”.

“Sky will be talking to him over the coming days.”

Former test opening batsman Lou Vincent confirmed he is one of the three players being investigated. The 35-year-old issued a statement to say “I am cooperating with an ongoing ICC anti-corruption investigation that has been made public today.

“This investigation is bound by a number of rules and regulations that mean I am unable to make any further public comment.”

Both the ICC and New Zealand Cricket have refused to identify the three players under investigation, other than saying they are former internationals and that no charges have been laid.

A report in the New Zealand Herald claimed Cairns, Vincent and pacer Daryl Tuffey are the players who are believed to be under investigation.