Australia prevent players testifying (30 September 1998)

30 September 1998

Australia prevent players testifying

By Charles Randall

Australia's cricket authorities have decided against allowing any of their players to give evidence at the corruption investigation in Pakistan.

There had been hopes that Australia's current tour of Pakistan would allow an opportunity for players to give their version of alleged bribery approaches made during the previous visit four years ago.

Malcolm Speed, the Australian Cricket Board's chief executive, said yesterday that the Saturday sittings of Pakistan's inquiry panel were "incompatible" with the tour programme. He added: "The Australian team are in Pakistan to play cricket, and their first commitment is to this week's opening Test match in Rawalpindi."

The Pakistan Board were hoping to interview Mark Waugh who, with Shane Warne and Tim May, alleged he was offered money to play poorly in selected matches. Mark Taylor, another player the Pakistanis wanted to interview, and Waugh had both said they would be be available to the commission, provided the ACB gave their approval.

The ACB's attitude is bound to disappoint a wide cross-section of the world cricket community anxious to see all corruption in the game eliminated. Khalid Mahmood, the Pakistan Board chairman, said: "If any of my players had levelled accusations against any other team's player, I would have encouraged him to appear before the commission."

Kevin Curran was sacked yesterday as captain of Northamptonshire after one season in charge.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)