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Cricket News: ECB hits back at Ijaz Butt over match-fixing allegations

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Cricket News: ECB hits back at Ijaz Butt over match-fixing allegations
As expected, the English and Wales Cricket Board has expressed great anger and displeasure in what they claim are ludicrous allegations that have been brought forward by the Chairman of the Pakistan
Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt.
The following statement was released by the ECB this afternoon after lengthy discussions between team and Board officials on the eve of the fourth ODI at Lord’s.
“The ECB and the
England team today announced that they were committed to continuing with the current NatWest Series against
Pakistan. This decision was unanimously taken by the ECB Board following a meeting between the ECB chairman Giles http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hugh-Morris-c63550, and the
England captain and coach - Andrew Strauss and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flower-c44362 - and a subsequent meeting with all of the
England team.
The ECB and the
England players completely reject the remarks made by the PCB Chairman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128 yesterday about the
England team's conduct in the 3rd NatWest ODI at The Brit Insurance Oval. Mr Butt's comments were wholly irresponsible and completely without foundation.
The ECB expresses its gratitude for the outstanding conduct of the
England team this summer and will take all legal and disciplinary action which may result from Mr Butt's comments.
Given the current sensitivities surrounding this issue, ECB believes it is imperative that any serious allegations made against another team or player should be presented through the proper channels
to the ACSU. Both ECB and Team England view the comments made by Mr Butt as defamatory and not based in fact.”
Media Statement issued on behalf of the England Cricket Team
The ECB also released a statement made by the Professional Cricketers Association who were appalled at the allegations that are set to make it tougher for
Pakistan to survive at the highest level of game without some substantial house-cleaning. Their statement was as follows:
“The England Cricket team has this morning issued a statement in conjunction with the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA), following allegations made yesterday by the Chairman of the Pakistan
Cricket Board.
The team deplores and rejects unreservedly the suggestion that any
England cricketer was involved in manipulating the outcome, or any individual element, of the 3rd NatWest Series ODI at the Brit Insurance Oval between
England and Pakistan last week.”
Moreover, England’s captain Andrew Strauss, who scored a fine half century to take his team close to
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s target at Lord’s made the following statement.
"We would like to express our surprise, dismay and outrage at the comments made by Mr. Butt yesterday. We are deeply concerned and disappointed that our integrity as cricketers has been brought into
question. We refute these allegations completely and will be working closely with the ECB to explore all legal options open to us.
Under the circumstances, we have strong misgivings about continuing to play the last two games of the current series and urge the Pakistani team and management to distance them from Mr Butt's allegations.”
Meanwhile the match at Lord’s between the two teams was marked by an ugly row that started during the net sessions before the start of the match, England batsman Jonathan Trott almost exchanged blows
with Pakistani quick Wahab Riaz, who was interviewed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Scotland-c756 Yard for his alleged involvement in the spot and match fixing scandal that rocked the ongoing tour last month.
It remains to be seen as to what the next move is from the respective boards, yet it is obvious that the ECB is simmering over Ijaz Butt’s claims. The PCB Chairman’s claims are especially galling since
the ECB went out of their way to accommodate a neutral Pakistan series with
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the middle of the English summer, so as to help the Pakistani team which has been unable to host any teams in
Pakistan due security concerns.

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