Reeve and Graveney back Stewart

David Graveney and Dermot Reeve have added their voices to those supporting Alex Stewart over the money for information affair.

"This hasn't damaged my view of him at all," Graveney insisted. "He's a shining example of what is good in English cricket in the way he conducts himself and if he categorically denies it, that's good enough for me."

Graveney paid tribute to Stewart's mental strength, but admitted that the next few months will be a difficult time for the former England captain. He also admitted that some suspicion would hover over the Surrey man until the matter has been investigated thoroughly and he is publicly exonerated.

"It's a difficult time for him and his family and I have every sympathy for them, but I also know what great strength of character Alec Stewart has. He's a very strong bloke and I fully understand his position."

"Regrettably, no matter what happens, Sir Paul Condon and his department will look at the reports and there will obviously be a period of time before he sifts through all the information so the situation is not going to disappear in a couple of days."

"I don't think the public think anything less of him but at the same time, I'm sure Alec and his family would like to have the cloud removed as quickly as possible at the stage."

"He's had some knock-backs with injuries and losing the England captaincy, but he's strong guy. It will be a tough time for him but it's important everybody around him gives him support."

Dermot Reeve is another who has expressed support for the embattled Stewart.

Reeve, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "Alec is a great bloke and I know he would never, ever fix a cricket match or even contemplate it."

"His name is totally clean in my eyes and it should be clean in the eyes of England cricket supporters."

Former England allrounder, Reeve, explained that he saw little difference between talking to journalists or bookmakers. He said that so many people approach the players on tour that Stewart may not have realised that he was talking to a bookie. Reeve also pointed out that there is a huge difference between providing information, and trying to 'fix' a match.

"If someone wants to ring your hotel room and wants to talk cricket you are going to talk cricket. I do not see that you are doing anything wrong."

"They might say they are journalists and offer to pay you money, you might not know they are bookmakers," he explained.

"Match forecasting and match fixing are totally different things. If it is not going to interfere with your play on that day then someone will phone you up in your hotel room and ask you questions, it shouldn't be a problem."

Reeve did admit that the situation was different now to the early 90's (when Stewart was allegedly approached), in that contact with bookies is now expressly forbidden.

"It is written into the England contracts now that you are not allowed to give match information. Any talking about that and you will be banned from cricket. But that was not the case back then."

"It never happened to me on tour," he added.