PORT OF SPAIN, CMC – Assistant West Indies coach David Williams believes match fixing remains a massive threat to the game but has backed his players’ integrity in avoiding the lure of bookmakers.
“Our players have been doing the right things and from what I know they are clean when it comes to things like match fixing,” Williams said.
“This is really good for us and we hope that they continue in that way because the temptation as I said before is real.”
Williams was speaking against the backdrop of the betting scandal involving the Pakistan team which has marred the game in recent weeks. Already, three Pakistani players have been questioned by Scotland Yard and have also been provisionally suspended by cricket’s world governing body, the ICC, pending its own investigation.
A former West Indies wicketkeeper, Williams said the enticement of bookmakers was ever constant but players needed to show integrity in making the right decisions.
“The temptations from bookies are real but the players are big men and they must think things through,” Williams stressed.
“They must know what is right and what is wrong and definitely match fixing is wrong. The players have to consider that they are destroying the very means of a livelihood that they have.
“When they act in ways that are dishonest, they will only hurt cricket and they must be owners of the game.”
The latest scandal has rocked world cricket, triggered a series of investigations by English police authorities and sent the ICC scurrying to further review its anti-corruption policies.
Williams, who played 11 Tests and 36 One-Day Internationals between 1988 and 1998, said players needed to play a central role if match fixing was to be stamped out.
“Once the players do the right things, match fixing can be eliminated,” the 46-year-old said.
“They need to be strong and resist the temptation and I think once this is done the bookies will get the message. However, this is easier said than done and it is really a massive job to clean up the sport.”
