Gray hints at action against countries refusing to play another

The International Cricket Council needs more powers to deal with issues like match-fixing and the refusal of countries to play against certain opponents, ICC chief Malcolm Gray said in Sharjah on Tuesday.

Gray, in Sharjah for a brief stop en route to London to attend next week's ICC annual general meeting, said the ICC needs sweeping powers in almost every area and vowed to take steps to eliminate matchfixing.

"We hope and strive to get more powers to control the game effectively," he told reporters at the Sharjah Stadium. He was referring to match-fixing scandals plaguing the game worldwide and India's refusal to play traditional rivals Pakistan at some offshore venues, the latest being in Sharjah in April.

Gray praised the anti-corruption report submitted last month by former Scotland Yard chief Sir Paul Condon, adding the report would be taken up at the ICC meeting. "This meeting will be a key moment in cricket's fightback against match-fixing as members from around the world reaffirm their commitment to a corruption-free culture. No one should doubt our determination to achieve this aim. After the meeting, the ICC will announce what action it intends to take."

Gray said points accrued during a Test cricket championship series will be deducted from countries that refuse to play with others "for political or other reasons