Stewart in clear according to MacLaurin

Lord MacLaurin has told listeners to BBC Radio 5 Live that Alec Stewart is "absolutely clear" of any involvement in match-fixing.

Although Stewart was named in the Indian CBI report, and accused of having accepted money in return for information, MacLaurin, as head of the ECB, is convinced of the Surrey and England man's innocence.

MacLaurin is to meet Sir Paul Condon (of the International Cricket Council anti-corruption unit) shortly, but not to discuss the Stewart issue specifically.

"We'll talk about things in general," MacLaurin explained. "As far as I'm concerned, Alec Stewart is absolutely clear. I had a long conversation with him when it first arose some 10 days ago and I've said to Alec 'You get on and do what you do best'.

"For the moment Stewart's case is absolutely closed. I have no doubt at all that if anything comes out in the future Sir Paul will come and talk to us about it. But at the moment the matter is closed."