Watson blames ICC for Pakistan mess

[Kashif_nazir]

Shane Watson has questioned whether the ICC really wants to eradicate match-fixing and spot-fixing from cricket due to fears the problem might run too deep. A day after confirming he had reported two approaches from bookmakers during last year's tour of England, Watson blamed the ICC for allowing the issue to fester.

Watson said the fact a newspaper was responsible for highlighting the irregularities involving Pakistan's recent performances, which were revealed during the fourth Test in England, showed the ICC's system was unsuccessful. "The ICC anti-corruption unit is not really working," he said during a sponsor's function in Sydney.

"That's totally to do with the ICC, so they really need to step in and really get to the bottom of it. Maybe they don't want to get to the bottom of it because it might run too deep."

The ICC has defended its approach but Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive, did admit the anti-corruption and security unit had no power to arrest or go undercover. Lorgat has promised "prompt and decisive" action if any of the players are found guilty.

Watson said the situation needed to be sorted out "as soon as possible" to maintain credibility and interest in the game. "People might turn away from cricket because they don't know [whether] what they are seeing is actually the true facts of cricket," he said.

Meanwhile, Mark Taylor, the former Australia captain, said talk of banning Pakistan from world cricket was not justified. "I don't agree with that, I think it's too harsh a penalty for one nation," Taylor, a Cricket Australia board member, said in Sydney.

"If they have one person, two people, three people involved in match-fixing or fixing certain deliveries ... to throw the whole nation? No, I'm not for that. I think it would not be a good thing for world cricket to have Pakistan not involved."

[NJamal]

Watson is talking some sense now. Mark Taylor I always liked him.

[iafzal]

Wow Watto was dissed but he is backing Pak. Some common sense from the Aussies compared to some English players

[insaftak]

What the hell is going on here.

watson talking sense. I'm shocked and stunned.

[Random Aussie]

Good work boys, a better effort than what we had from Speed and Hair.

See we are not all morons eh?

[sal2010]

just sent the article to other half (who happens to be an Aussie) and told him that his lot are talking sense compared to the current england team......

[Desi_Joker]

RESPECT for this lad!

[Zaheer Abbas's Fan]

Aussie players have no bad feelings toward Pakistan, and they genuinely love world cricket and know this rot must stop. Thinking Australians understand this is already proven to affect many countries at times (India, S.A, Australians Mark Waugh and Shane Warne, West Indies). Hopefully Watson shames ICC into real action.

[mastermind_quad]

Agree with Taylor here ...

Why whole Pak cricket when some players involved in match-fixing and IMO if the accusation agianst them proved they must get Life Ban or ban b/w 5 to 10 yrs from cricket.

[kingusama92]

Shane Watson is spot on.

ICC better not try to shift the blame away from itself. They failed in a big way, if the allegations are true.

They should be on top of their game. What's the point in wasting money on the ACSU - if they were outdone by NOTW. Might as well hire NOTW.

[Phuzz]

If they threw Pakistan out of world cricket, it would be huge huge loss to everyone involved in cricket. I'm beginning to like Australians.

[PerfectionPersonified]

He has earned some respect for me

[shehzadd]

Icc should have canceld Pcb's membership from international cricket couple of years ago.
1- pcb done nothing after Aus tour. they got players axed and invited them again to play.
2- Pcb has done no any invetigation from veena malik wch now Icc is dong.
3- Lal chand was in Pak to meet Pak players on maliks wedding. Pcb ignored it totally.
4- After lords test pcb is saying nothing happend our innocent players r trapped.

I think Icc should cancel pcb's membership as early as possible to stop this all bad things happening in world cricket.

[AZ]

they're just saying what is logical and common sense...but in the sea of OTT statements and retarded proclamations from some Indian and NZ ex-players, their comments should be commended.

[Eagle_Eye]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie Good work boys, a better effort than what we had from Speed and Hair. See we are not all morons eh?

Watson finally jumped out of his pram and became a man!!

[kuthaman]

I always loved Watson (no homo)

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It will be interesting to see how the ICC handles this. No one wants to see cricketers bending the rules of the game but on the other hand I suspect it's only Pakistan players who will be the fall guys. Watson has hit the nail on the head when he remarks that this problem runs a lot deeper than the authorities would care to admit. Anyone who thinks it's just Pakistan players doing spot fixing is deluded.