Speculation very unpleasant, says Stewart's father

Alec Stewart's family have been telling of their shock at claims that the Surrey and England batsman and former captain accepted £5,000 from a bookmaker for information.

An Indian bookmaker has alleged he paid Stewart for information on pitch, weather conditions and team morale, but added that but there is no suggestion Stewart was ever paid for match-fixing.

The allegations are contained in the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation's "Report on Match-fixing and Related Malpractices".

Stewart's father Micky, 68, the former England coach and batsman, said: "It's been a very unpleasant thing for my wife and the family to hear and read, and it's all speculation. As far as Alec is concerned naturally he's got the full support of the family.

"Anything that is in the report, or what I've seen on Teletext or in the papers, is in total contrast to the person that he is, and the way he's lived his life and the huge regard he's got for the game of cricket.

"It is totally contrary what he stands for and how he is looked on in the game, or by anybody."