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The current affairs series combining original insights into major news stories with topical investigations

The Report: Bats, Balls and Bungs

Bats, Balls and Bungs

06/01/2011

BBC Radio 4 - The Report, Bats, Balls and Bungs

As the tribunal into fixing allegations opens, we investigate corruption in cricket.

As three Pakistan cricketers face an International Cricket Council tribunal over fixing allegations, Adrian Goldberg looks at the fear of corruption in the English county game.

The tribunal into allegations of fixing by three Pakistan cricketers begins in Qatar today, but whatever the outcome, the ability of the game to tackle the threat of corruption to cricket is also on trial. Betting on sport is hugely popular in Asia, and particularly India where it's banned, but millions of pounds worth of bets are taken by illegal bookmakers on international and County games which are broadcast on television. 

Betting syndicates - sometimes involving bookmakers - are believed to be to targetting players in the UK. The ICC tell The Report "A very large number of players and officials have reported.. inappropriate approaches made by potential corruptors". We hear claims that the English and Welsh County game is being targeted by bookmakers from India, on the lookout for vulnerable players, perhaps with a gambling addiction or a debt. The Professional Cricketers Association monitor the facebook pages of members, because of worries that they might reveal information which would be useful to a potential corruptor. 

Adrian Goldberg explores this murky world, and asks whether the game is succeeding in preventing players being lured by handsome rewards for not playing by the rules. 

Producer: Paul Grant.

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