Published: Sep 14, 2024, 03:46 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 14, 2024, 03:46 PM (IST)
The majority of elite cricket is “safe and clean,” but Alex Marshall, the head of the ICC Anti Corruption Unit (ACU), who is leaving the organization, believes that corruptors may try to enter through local T20 competitions that are run by member nation boards but are outside the global body’s jurisdiction.
The former British police officer did not name the member nation or the specific local leagues he was referring to.
Marshall told ESPN Cricinfo, “I am confident that the cricket you watch is safe and clean.”
However, I also have little doubt that dishonest people are always searching for ways to get into the game, especially in poorly managed lower-level franchise leagues. Since there is always money to be made, corruptors pose a threat to the game since they will always be looking for ways to gain access to the system by finding weaknesses in it.”
Marshall expressed his satisfaction at the growing number of players who are informing the ICC ACU about unscrupulous tactics, promising to maintain the integrity of the game.
“I am proud of the significant increase in trust from players who now report approaches to us frequently whereas there was a time when they lacked confidence in confidentiality and the action that will be taken,” Marshall stated.
“When corruptors participate in cricket, they are now exposed, exposed, and blacklisted. Additionally, we now educate players on the identities and tactics of corruptors, making everyone much more prepared and safe to prevent corruption in the game.”
Among the major achievements of the ICC ACU during Marshall’s seven years there were the prosecution of former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan for failing to disclose an unscrupulous scheme by Indian bookmaker Deepak Aggarwal and the late Heath Streak, the former captain of Zimbabwe.
Marshall found joy in his work of rooting out corruption in Sri Lankan cricket with the assistance of the local government, having successfully brought charges involving both former international and local players.
“Sri Lanka turned out to be a good news story because there were serious issues which were addressed locally and with ICC,” according to him. “Now with the legislation and stronger measures Sri Lanka is in a much better place to keep the corruptors away.”
