Cricket's Anti Corruption Unit has sifted through 450 intelligence reports so far this year and its chair has revealed it is managing "a whole series of ongoing investigations" around the world, according to Nick Hoult of the London TELEGRAPH. It is understood that one detailed investigation "is at an advanced stage and has involved agencies from several different countries." ACU is "close to agreeing a memorandum of understanding with the National Crime Agency that will enable intelligence to be shared between all police forces" in the U.K. Similar MoUs are "also close to being signed with police agencies in South Africa and India" as the Int'l Cricket Council recognizes its corruption unit "lacks the investigatory powers necessary to bring to justice complex fixing rings." Around 20% "have originated from players and umpires with the rest from ACU informants and other sources." ACU is in the process of "expanding with three new appointments:" a "head of prevention" to improve its education program, a director and coordinator of investigations and a senior analyst (TELEGRAPH, 12/13). The PA reported the agreement in Britain "would allow information to be shared between all police forces." Match-fixing, or spot-fixing, has become an "increasing problem in the game in recent years" and ICC Anti-Corruption Unit Chair Ronnie Flanagan said that there are "a whole series of ongoing investigations at the moment ranging across different countries." Flanagan: "The benefits of the increased coordination are already being seen. We want MOUs with investigative bodies wherever world cricket is played. ... Our job is primarily about prevention. We as a unit must be seen as the players' friend and exist to prevent the players from falling into the clutches of the predators who are trying to suck them into their web of deceit and criminality" (PA, 12/14).
WICB LABELED DYSFUNCTIONAL: In Sydney, Andrew Wu reported former cricketer Michael Holding has "issued a stinging public rebuke on the board governing West Indies cricket," labeling it as "dysfunctional" and "untrustworthy" and "warned the game in the Caribbean will only deteriorate further if changes are not made." While their players capitulated on the field in Hobart, the directors of the West Indies Cricket Board "showed more defiance at their quarterly meeting in St Lucia to discuss the findings of a recent review into the governance of the game." WICB will "not accept the recommendation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) report, which called for the immediate dissolution of the board, but have accepted some changes are needed" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/14).
