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It's now Crowe's turn to snub ICC on fix probe
Jan 23, 2001, 11:50 Hrs (IST)

Wellington: Former New Zealand cricket captain Martin Crowe has refused to talk to the International Cricket Council (ICC) about match-fixing allegations, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.

'The Evening Post', quoting Crowe's lawyer David Howman, said that Crowe would not talk to the ICC's anti-corruption director Sir Paul Condon when he visits New Zealand in mid-February.

Crowe would not meet Condon unless allegations that he took money for match information during the 1991 World Cup were substantiated, it added.

''We have co-operated all along and will continue to do so if the allegations come to anything but at the moment there is nothing to answer to,'' the newspaper quoted Howman as saying.

There was no independent confirmation from either Crowe or Howman.

Australian Test batsman Mark Waugh has also refused to be interviewed.

Howman said he could understand where Waugh was coming from. ''Otherwise he's going to end up responding to allegations all his life,'' he added.

Crowe, Waugh, and former Sri Lankan captains Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva were named in a Central Bureau of Investigation report last November as having connections with bookmakers.

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara, former England captain Alec Stewart, and ex-Australian batsmen Dean Jones were all named. All players have denied any involvement in match-fixing or any illegal activity.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Christopher Doig was quoted saying he would be disappointed if Crowe declined to be interviewed.

''Martin Crowe and David Howman have indicated to New Zealand Cricket and the New Zealand inquiry team that they would co-operate fully,'' he added.

''I'm unaware of Sir Paul Condon making a request to speak to Martin Crowe but if he did so I think it would be unwise to refuse,'' Doig said.

(c) Reuters Limited. Click here for Restrictions

Extras:
Mark Waugh refuses to be interviewed by ICC