Cremer target of potentially corrupt approach

Graeme Cremer, the Zimbabwe captain, was the target of a potentially corrupt approach ahead of the first Test against West Indies last month. An ICC investigation is underway after Cremer reported the approach.

Zimbabwe's players were informed before the first Test on October 21 that a team member had been made an offer to engage in corrupt activities but did not act on it. Instead, the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) was informed and they have taken over the process of investigating. Zimbabwe Cricket is co-operating with the inquiry.

"The ICC can confirm that there is an ACU ongoing investigation in Zimbabwe and because there is an ongoing investigation, I cannot share any further details," an ICC spokesperson said. "However, the ICC has urged anyone who has any information to contact the ACU via contactacu@icc-cricket.com."

The two-Test series, which was played in Bulawayo, was won 1-0 by West Indies.

This is the second time in two months that a corrupt approach has been made to an international captain around an international match - or at least the second that such an approach has become public. During the ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka last month, Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan captain, also reported an allegedly corrupt approach made to him.

Days later, the senior Indian curator, Pandurang Salgaoncar, was dismissed by the BCCI for "malpractice". Salgaoncar was the target of a sting operation by a TV channel, captured on video talking to reporters allegedly posing as bookies about the pitch, ahead of India's second ODI against New Zealand in Pune. Like the Sarfraz approach, that is also the subject of an ACU investigation.