A shadow has been cast over Essex’s start to the new cricket season after it was revealed two of their players – understood to be Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield – are being investigated by police for “match irregularities”.
The investigation is believed to relate to underperforming in matches in last season’s Natwest Pro40 competition.
The suggestion is not that the match outcome was fixed but that a passage or passages of play may have been manipulated for betting purposes – a practice known as “spot-fixing”.
A statement from Essex Police said: “Following allegations received about two Essex County Cricket players involved in match irregularities we have initiated an investigation and are working closely with Essex County Cricket Club and the English Cricket Board.”
Pakistani Kaneria, who is not due to arrive at Essex until April 29, has strongly denied any wrong-doing and told a national newspaper: “The story is baseless."
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