Explosive match fixing revelation involving SL

13 November 2012 07:02 am - 49 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Test match played between England and Sri Lanka at Cardiff in May 2011 - which was sensationally won by England - was fixed, an award-winning sports journalist Ed Hawkins in his new book titled 'Bookie Gambler Fixer Spy' revealed.

In the book, Hawkins claims that a bookie, 'Vinay', told him that the match between England and Sri Lanka at Cardiff in May 2011 was fixed. Then-England captain Andrew Strauss had described the match as "one of the most extraordinary matches I played in". At the end of the fourth day, England, replying to Lanka's 400 all out, were at 491-5. With rain wiping out the morning session of the fifth day, a draw seemed the only possible result. But England declared at 496/5 and then stunningly bowled out Lanka for 82 in just 24.4 overs to pull off a nearmiraculous victory by an innings and 14 runs.

Hawkins points out that by the time the Lankan players took the field at Cardiff, they had not been paid for over eight weeks as the Sri Lanka board was in dire straits financially, following huge expenditure on preparations for the World Cup.

He writes, "It does not take a particularly cynical mind to come to the conclusion that a cricketer who has been treated with such little regard for his welfare... might - just might - be tempted by the offer of payment to throw a Test."

Hawkins concedes that Vinay's claims can be easily dismissed. "A judge, administrator, player or perhaps an ACSU (Anti-corruption and Security Unit of the ICC) officer can wave them away with contempt."

But Hawkins poses a thought-provoking question. "The conundrum for cricket is obvious. Does it start listening to folks who are at the black heart of the matter when no one else appears willing to talk?"

This shows the startling suggestion that a bookie correctly predicted the way the Pakistan innings would unfold in the crucial 2011 World Cup semifinal against India in Mohali isn't the only explosive revelation in Hawkins' new book.

Ed Hawkins is an award-winning sports journalist. He has twice been named the Sports Journalists Association's Sports Betting Writer of the Year. This is his second book. (The Times of India)

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Comments - 49

Pradeep Wednesday, 14 November 2012 02:06 AM

This is an insult both to the honest and dignified cricketers of our team, as well as the English who put up a great performance to beat us!

Adi Tuesday, 13 November 2012 11:13 AM

he just want some publicity to sell his book

cyberspeak Tuesday, 13 November 2012 11:23 AM

hee hee hee hee

DeSelva Tuesday, 13 November 2012 11:49 AM

Bookie Gambler Fixer Spy
sounds like Russian espionage and not cricket

Nodrog Tuesday, 13 November 2012 11:50 AM

Al rasa its not even been proved the cricketers were bribed but you have already condemned them. You need to think a bit longer before making negative comments and exposing your ignorance.

Sando Tuesday, 13 November 2012 12:31 PM

Match fixed and shared among the players and Mahindananda Aluthgamage

Shan Tuesday, 13 November 2012 12:33 PM

This is nothing other than to get a cheap publicity and a good sale for his book. Nonsense..

Cool Hand Luke. Tuesday, 13 November 2012 01:48 PM

After all this time it surely must be a no-ball!

leelananda Tuesday, 13 November 2012 02:45 PM

the way majority of general public behaves in bribery in sri lanka is alarming and no exception for cricketers.

Lal Tuesday, 13 November 2012 03:10 PM

Do you have any evidence to prove the allegations?

divan Tuesday, 13 November 2012 04:13 PM

cricket=wrestling

Dilshan Tuesday, 13 November 2012 05:57 PM

Any British journalist... is a Gutter-journalist

Ammo Wednesday, 14 November 2012 12:24 AM

Send a white van for him, aiyooo please send a white van for him.......

Adi Tuesday, 13 November 2012 11:12 AM

This is crazy..he just says that a bookie told him??? and he assumed it happened...what a joke

patana Wednesday, 14 November 2012 02:22 AM

Sounds probable.

Sudu Kalla Wednesday, 14 November 2012 04:07 AM

This is typical English bullshit. Where is the proof ?
And who is making the allegations ? An Indian and we all know how they are. They try to sling mud but never at Indian cricketers.

Alls Fair Wednesday, 14 November 2012 04:11 AM

If you look at it... It's all Indian Bookies who are involved in match fixing scandals... I think BCCI should look more deeply into the matter closer to home!!!!

pasha Wednesday, 14 November 2012 04:35 AM

they should be banned for 5-10 years for doing this kind of things ICC should investigate this and do the punishment which is same as the one for Pakistani bookie players salma, amir asif etc

Kumar Wednesday, 14 November 2012 04:53 AM

This news might be climbed on purpose..........seems that try to tie the unpaid Srilankan players and lost a match cheaply after that....even though India, pakistan, Srilanka have a lot of corruption and scandal but England doesn't ....

Muhammedh Wednesday, 14 November 2012 04:52 AM

Seriously...?? :O

Sammy Wednesday, 14 November 2012 04:57 AM

Anybody can make wild allegations but it is hard evidence that matters. I think even award winning authors try to make money through sensational means.

Dammika Wednesday, 14 November 2012 05:33 AM

These people they write in books and give information to the press. But too late. Why don't these people bring these to the attention of the concern people at the same time. All rubbish

Mason Wednesday, 14 November 2012 05:46 AM

The government is selling valuable land to the Chinese for a song as it benefits them. So do the Cricketers "sell" the match. Way the cookie crumbles in the country.

mayhp Wednesday, 14 November 2012 06:12 AM

another publicity stunt by another journalist....

NBandara Wednesday, 14 November 2012 07:09 AM

We lose and wickets fall like that because we are not professionals! It is our amateurish attitude that always fail us. Our cricketers are not mentally fit and when a little thing goes wrong they just give up. Bookies and throwing of games are not the reasons for dramatic losses..

Rosh Tuesday, 13 November 2012 09:12 AM

And put him in Jail at Welikada

elton Tuesday, 13 November 2012 07:34 AM

Dude this is contempt, he said you wrote, where is yr responsibility

Ram Perera Tuesday, 13 November 2012 07:38 AM

This is rubbish. Where is the proof. If how it was fixed was described in his book, it should have been said in this news item.
Ram

mamath Tuesday, 13 November 2012 07:49 AM

ban the book in Sri Lanka!

Al Rasa Tuesday, 13 November 2012 07:51 AM

Very true when the cricket board does not pay for cricketers for months and months they will resort to this kind of avenues to substantiate their financial needs. Fault is with the Cricket Board which is highly politicized.

chryshan K Tuesday, 13 November 2012 07:53 AM

When ever a team looses a match in a surprising manner, everybody doubt its fixed. However unless there is sufficient evidence, this type of articles should not be published since it can tarnish the spirit of Cricket and morale of our cricketers. Ed Hawkins also should have not written in his "puskolapotha" just for the sake a .... like "Vinay" jabber without proper evidence.

Andrew Pitugala Tuesday, 13 November 2012 07:54 AM

Must be investigated and refuted if evidence proves otherwise. If found true action must be taken against anyone responsible.

Huna Tuesday, 13 November 2012 08:03 AM

I dont Think that Cardiff Match was fixed one , rather it was classic display of Sri Lankan style of Cricket on the last day

Darren Tuesday, 13 November 2012 08:15 AM

Bloody English bull shit.They must be thinking our cricketers are beggars. Then how can he explain that our fellows becoming runners up?

I.O.Sull-Lee Tuesday, 13 November 2012 08:28 AM

true that u don't need to fix for SL to have a sudden brain freeze and collapse like that.

Amila G Tuesday, 13 November 2012 08:50 AM

Ha.......Ha.......Ha. Wait and see.

Lobo Tuesday, 13 November 2012 08:59 AM

If you believe this then you are worse than the bookie and Hawkins whose willing to sacrifice our cricketers reputations to sell his book.

Bonnie Mallie Tuesday, 13 November 2012 07:31 AM

Why do the English and the Australians always point fingers at the Asian teams? The Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers are richest thanks to IPL - Why would they want to fix a match? These journalists are just looking for publicitiy

Amith Tuesday, 13 November 2012 09:18 AM

any one can have an opinion. But in order to prove it, you need evidence!!!!

Fayad Tuesday, 13 November 2012 09:28 AM

This can happen to any team this is rubbish
But the way Sri Lanka board handling the finance's is regrettable..

walgensher Tuesday, 13 November 2012 09:31 AM

If true, its a fixing involving whole team. Mahela,Sanga,Dilshan,Mathews and all others answerable.

farook Tuesday, 13 November 2012 09:35 AM

Well Said Mr. Darren

Why ED Hawkins took nearly 1-1/2 years to reveal this, this is purely rubbish, it is their patten to tarnish the image of the asian cricketers

Muhammedh Tuesday, 13 November 2012 10:00 AM

Why did DailyMirror post this in the first place?

All they need is publicity :-(!

CW Tuesday, 13 November 2012 10:03 AM

Dogs always bark at the full moon.

RajasH Tuesday, 13 November 2012 10:07 AM

he want to sell his book

MAN - ZCC Tuesday, 13 November 2012 10:08 AM

we cannot hide fo so long one day it will come to the linelight all are humanbeings bcos we are Sri Lanks we cannnoit defend this there is no smoke without fire

CricketPissek Tuesday, 13 November 2012 10:38 AM

Surely this is a libel case? SLC should take this author to courts. If not the corrupt SLC, at least the players' association! This is an insult to Sri Lanka's cricketers who went for almost a year without being paid, who never went on strike or refused to play like West Indian, Australian, and South African teams and players have done in the past.

US GAMINI Tuesday, 13 November 2012 10:42 AM

This guy is trying hard to find customers to sell his book.

Saman Tuesday, 13 November 2012 10:43 AM

Where is the proof? Even I can write anything in a book.

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Explosive match fixing revelation involving SL

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