ICC confirms report by Australia team management to ACSU of suspicious player approach

No evidence of illegal activity; praise for player and Cricket Australia Confident issue of corruption is under control thanks to protocols in place and widespread culture of integrity among players but no scope for complacency David Richardson: "Cricket's popularity brings challenges and we will continue to deal with them"

Further to recent media reports, the ICC can confirm that its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has received a report from the Australia team management concerning an approach to one of its players by a man suspected of links to illegal bookmaking.

There is no evidence of any illegal activity as a result of this approach, which took place following the second Test at Lord's in July, and the ICC would like to place on record its praise for the player approached and the Australia team management for reporting the issue.

Approaches to players do happen and it would be naïve to assume otherwise; if they did not then there would be no need for the continuing existence of the ACSU.

However, the ICC is confident that all approaches are being reported, it is proud of systems and education processes in place which have created a widespread culture of integrity among the world's top players and it is pleased those players have confidence in the ACSU to report such matters.

Incidents such as the one reported in the media illustrate the need for constant and ongoing vigilance on the part of players, officials and administrators and there is no scope for complacency. However, thanks to the ACSU, cricket is regarded by other sports as a world leader in the area of anti-corruption and the ICC wants it to stay that way.

There is no indication that any matches in the current Ashes series or the ICC World Twenty20 2009 have been affected by corruption in any way and the ICC is confident the issue is under control.

The ICC does not intend to reveal specifics of any approaches to players because doing so would have the potential to be counter-productive to any investigations and also to relationships of trust the ACSU has developed.

ICC General Manager - Cricket David Richardson added: "Cricket is more popular than ever before and with that popularity comes the opportunities for growth but also challenges such as the one highlighted by the approach to an Australian player.

"The ICC, its members and the ACSU will continue to deal effectively with these challenges to ensure the game remains a great sport with a great spirit."