by Veena Gabriel
Where there is money,lots and lots of it, corruption charge follow.
First it was noted cricket writer Peter Roebuck of Australia who threw forward allegations that Twenty/20 League were in the clutches of bookmakers who were given a free hand by some conniving officials. He urged BCCI to join hands with the rebel Indian Cricket League as they have confirmed the allegations.
Peter wrote in Sydney Morning Herald that besides players even officials are vulnerable and it is impossible for the IPL to remain untouched by all this.
ICL asked for corruption officer to supervise the contests but as the game’s governing body pointed out that it had no jurisdiction over a breakaway domestic tournament, ICL would have to make its own arrangements.
ICL appointed the officials and some very enlightening facts came out. For a mere five runs or fewer than five in the tenth over, cricketer could get $40,000. IPL has many upright cricketers with untarnished reputation to protect them. BCCI and IPL need to tighten their anti corruption activities.
Roebuck also urged them to join hands with ICL to get names of the identified businessmen who doubled as bookies. He got the insight from the hints dropped by the players themselves who made one think that both sides were trying to lose the match, there were talks about playing out a maiden or padding up to a spinner, an odd technique for 20 over contest. There are also unexpected long faces despite a win, proving that all players are not involved.
Roebuck is amazed that no bookie has been convicted after the scandal in 2000 that exposed many test captains.
