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Dalmiya flays match-fixing

International Cricket Council president Jagmohan Dalmiya today urged those players and journalists who have been offered money to fix matches to come out openly and name the people who had approached them.

Talking to mediapersons after the launch of renowned cricket photographer Pradeep Mandhani's book 'Cricket World Cup '99 Frozen', Dalmiya said the ICC is determined to root out the scourge of match-fixing and betting. ''But we need cooperation from the people who claim to have been offered money to fix matches,'' he added.

He was of the view that the ICC or the respective country's cricket board cannot play the role of investigating agency.

''We just can't go to some cricketer's house or raid it simply because some allegations have been levelled against him.

''We need proof and only those who have knowledge of this murky business should come up to help clean the game,'' Dalmiya said.

Asked about the match-fixing charges levelled by English cricketer Chris Lewis, against controversial cricket promoter Aushim Kheterpal, the ICC chief said the matter is being investigated by Scotland Yard. ''We are giving them full cooperation.''

He said the ICC will set up a high-level panel which will include eminent players like Richie Benaud, Supreme Court judges and members of the House of Lords which will look into match-fixing and betting charges.

"The ICC will take the toughest possible action against those found guilty so that nobody has the courage to do such things in future," he asserted.

Dalmiya said that in case the Government of India decides to hold a CBI inquiry into these allegations the ICC will offer full support. ''We will have no problem, rather we will give the agency complete cooperation.''

He was confident that cricket will regain its glory soon. ''We will overcome such obstacles and the ICC will definitely take action if we get proof of any wrong doing.''

He said the problem about betting is a bit complicated in some countries like Britain where betting is legal, while in India it is illegal. ''We will have to draw a line while investigating such issues.''

Asked about the umpiring controversies during the India-Australia and England-south Africa matches, Dalmiya said: "Neutral umpires are no solution. Umpires are also human and can commit mistakes some times. Local umpires too have to be given chances to come up.''

He said the ICC has already floated tenders for marketing the next World Cup to be held in South Africa. He also said that the ICC is keen to have a comprehensive calander for junior and senior events. "We will like to club these tournaments together so that sponsors get more mileage and the game gets a boost at the junior level.''