- Fresh details have been revealed over alleged fixing by New Zealand cricket players
- Testimony by two players to the ICC alleges an international great encouraged them to fix
- Chris Cairns says he was the player referred to, but denies the allegations
- Cairns has successfully challenged match-fixing allegations in the courts in the past
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(CNN) — The cricketing world has been rocked by fresh revelations over alleged fixing by former New Zealand internationals, following the leak of player statements made to a corruption inquiry.
The scandal has prompted ex-Black Caps star Chris Cairns to identify himself as “Player X” — the prominent former international accused in the statements of pressuring others to fix in matches — while rejecting the specific allegations against him and vowing to clear his name.
“I have not denied I am Player X,” he wrote in a series of tweets Tuesday. “It’s the allegations I reject… Thanks for all the support out there and to all those who understand that there are bigger forces at play here.”
The International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has previously confirmed it was conducting an investigation into Cairns and fellow former New Zealand internationals Lou Vincent and Daryl Tuffey.
Cairns has challenged match-fixing allegations in the courts in the past, and won. In 2012, he sued Indian cricket official and businessman Lalit Modi in a British court, after Modi had tweeted allegations of match-fixing relating to Cairns’ stint with the Chandigarh Lions in the short-lived Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Cairns captained the side in 2007 and 2008, playing alongside Vincent in 2008. Modi, who ran the rival Indian Premier League competition, lost his appeal against the court’s decision in October 2012, with damages increased to £90,000 ($ 147,459).
“Lou Vincent… appears to have confessed to match fixing in respect of games played in numerous countries around the world, most of which I have had no connection to,” read the statement from the 43-year-old, who made his Test debut in 1989 and played his last one-day international in 2006.
“He is in a desperate position. He faces potential prosecution and in trying to negotiate a plea bargain he appears to be willing to falsely accuse me of wrongdoing.”
In regard to McCullum’s allegations, he wrote: “I have no idea why he would say the things he is alleged to have said. To be clear, I have never approached Brendon, or anyone else, about match-fixing or any other improper activity.”
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