Harsh action against match fixing, Woolmer report awaited: ICC

Chennai, June 9 (UNI) International Cricket Council (ICC) Acting President Ray Mali today said the governing body would crack down hard on corruption along the lines of match fixing.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Mali, who would be holding the post for approximately 13 months, following the death of his countryman Percy Sonn last month, said there was no truth in reports that match, fixing scandal was cropping up again as speculated during the World Cup in West Indies.

''At this point of time after the incidents in the year 2000, there has been a decline. But we will not tolerate any corruption along these lines,'' he warned.

He said the ICC has a team in place to handle match-fixing.

Asked about conflicting reports switching from murder to natural death regarding Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, he said ''let us wait for the final report.

Asked if the Jamaican police had sent any final report to the ICC regarding Bob Woolmer's death during the recent World Cup, he said ''let us wait for the communication and full report. Everyday we have been getting conflicting reports,'' he said.

Mr Mali, however, emphasised that in his opinion cricket has not been tainted by such incidents.

''The game is alive and kicking'', he asserted.

UNI