Speed knew about Bacher allegation two weeks ago

MELBOURNE, June 13 AAP - Australian Cricket Board chief executive Mal Speed knew about a fortnight ago of the allegation that has drawn this country into the South African corruption inquiry.

Speed admitted today South African cricket boss Ali Bacher told him privately of the allegation about a fortnight ago.

The Australian said he would have preferred it not be made public, but added people should not be surprised if more allegations were made against players, umpires or administrators from this country.

Bacher made a series of sensational claims to the South African inquiry overnight and Speed said the one involving Australia needed to be treated cautiously.

"It's hearsay on hearsay on hearsay," Speed said.

"Dr Bacher was good enough to tell me he'd received this letter from a sponsor about two weeks ago

"It's disappointing it came out at a public inquiry, but there's nothing we can do about that.

"Dr Bacher, to his credit, has taken the view that he's come forward and told the inquiry about all matters of which he's aware.

"It's unfortunate this, in turn, has put us in a position where we have to respond to what you (a journalist) have termed a flimsy allegation."

Speed was speaking this afternoon at an ACB media conference here.

He was reacting to Bacher's revelation the sponsor had given him a letter, detailing a conversation during a flight.

The sponsor said a Pakistani man sitting next to him on the flight, whom he believed was paceman Shoaib Akhtar, had outlined Australian involvement and complicity in match-fixing.

Speed spoke to Bacher again this afternoon, but the Australian boss said it was still unclear whether Akhtar was even on the plane.

"I don't think we're dealing with rocket science to find out whether Shoaib Akhtar was there or whether he was on the plane," Speed said.

Speed said the climate of suspicion in world cricket meant Australia could be the subject of further such allegations.

"Don't be surprised if there are other allegations coming up from time to time about Australian cricketers, umpires or administrators," he said.

"I don't expect any more, but if you look at the way this has developed, there are a number of suggestions floating around about different players, different countries.

"Most are rumours, innuendo, gossip."

Speed added the ACB's newly-appointed special investigator, Greg Melick would hand in his first report by the end of the week.

Melick is looking into allegations by disgraced Pakistan captain Salim Malik, who claimed Australian players were involved in fixing a match between the two teams in 1994.

Speed said the alleged conversation between the South African and the Pakistan man on the flight could be the subject of Melick's next investigation if the matter was found to have any substance.