Three Tests involving India were fixed, claims a report
In a shocking revelation by Al Jazeera's documentary 'Cricket's Match-Fixers', it has been learnt that three Test matches involving India in the past two years were fixed. However, no Indian cricketer has been accused of any wrong doing. The allegations have come after Lankan ground-officials in Galle were accused of doctoring pitches.
Were Ranchi and Chennai Tests fixed?
The report claims that the Test match between India and Australia held in Ranchi on March 2017 was fixed. Besides that the 2016 Test against England in Chennai too was influenced by bookies. The documentary claims that five players were involved in the two Tests (two Aussies and three Englishmen). England cricketers have rejected the claims as the Aussies haven't made any comments.
Two Aussies, three English players influenced games: Report
The Ranchi Test was drawn after big tons by then Aussie skipper Steve Smith and a double ton by Cheteshwar Pujara. The documentary claims that two visiting players (names not revealed) were allegedly involved in influencing the game after manipulating a 10-over spell. This, in turn, helped the bookies make money. The Chennai Test had seen India win by an innings and 75 runs.
Bookies tried to influence Lanka's Galle Test against England
The Tests in India have come to the fore after the documentary also revealed that match-fixers had altered pitches for two Tests earlier at Galle. The upcoming Lanka vs England match would have been the third. The two matches were against Australia in 2016 and India in 2017. Australia were bowled out for 106 and 183 runs and lost the Test.
What next for ICC and the concerned boards?
The ICC has opened investigations regarding the allegations and will be monitoring the incidents closely. The board has a lot of work to do, given it involves 4 nations India, Sri Lanka, England and Australia. This, in turn, could also see the BCCI get into the scheme of things along with the ECB and Cricket Australia.
