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Two more players report offers from bookies to PCA

May 29, 2010 19:44 IST

Match-fixing seems to have spread its root deep into English county cricket with at least two more players and an official reporting approaches by bookmakers to the Professional Cricketers' Association, according to media reports.

"More players have contacted their union to report approaches from bookmakers," the Daily Telegraph reported.

Earlier this week, a seasoned county cricketer had claimed that he was approached by an Indian businessman for fixing a match and had told him to "name his own his price".

PCA soon sprung into action and asked its players to come forward and report any such contact by bookmakers, while the cricketer's case was referred to the ICC's anti-corruption unit.

PCA chief executive officer Angus Porter said he was happy that lot of players are shrugging off their fear and coming forward.

"What we don't yet know is if we are uncovering a 'tip of the iceberg' situation or whether we are just flushing out old stories," Porter said.

"One thing I can say is that we are very pleased to see people reporting. People perhaps now feel more comfortable reporting approaches and want to get this out off their chest.

"From my personal point of view this is an issue that is not just about players. It is about anybody who is in a position to influence the integrity of the game," he added.

To encourage more players, the PCA might send a message to its members this weekend reminding them of the protocols around reporting approaches from bookmakers and will follow that up with an e-mail.

PCA may also pursue the ICC and its anti-corruption unit to grant amnesty to the players to encourage more cricketers to come forward as currently they face disciplinary action if they do not immediately report suspicious approaches.

"We want anyone with information about forces trying to corrupt our game to come forward," Porter said.

Essex's Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria and pacer Mervyn Westfield were arrested two weeks ago and released on bail for allegedly spot-fixing during last season's Pro40 match between Essex and Durham.

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