The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been marred by the recent corruption scandals in cricket and now the cricket’s governing body is considering all possible means to curb the prevailing wrong practices in the sport.
One of the suggestions under consideration is to use lie detector tests on the players to identify the individuals involved in any corrupt practices.
Australia’s former captain Steve Waugh is staunchly backing this radical idea of introduction of lie detectors in the sport, to put an end to corruption in the game for good. The Aussie Hall of Famer said, “If you have done nothing wrong, why wouldn't you
want to do a lie detector test to say you have done nothing wrong? Why wouldn't you take it if you have nothing to hide?"
Waugh is a member of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) World Cricket Committee which is looking into different recommendations to send to the ICC which will help in putting corruption in cricket to a halt.
He said, “The greatest issue facing the game right now is match-fixing, yesterday we threw some ideas around and the lie detector test came from me. I was thinking about how we make players more accountable for their actions.”
These recommendations come in the wake of the spot-fixing fiasco which included Pakistan’s former Test captain Salman Butt, pacer Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. The cricketing world was baffled by these allegations of corruption.
The alleged involvement of three Pakistani players in this menace has totally shattered the image of the game and now the ICC has decided to take stern steps against all existing corruption in cricket in order to redeem the lost prestige of the gentlemen’s
game.
Currently, the three suspected players are facing suspension from playing in all formats of cricket. The ICC will be holding a proper hearing of the trio in January, where the players will have a chance to prove their innocence. The players so far have maintained
their innocence and have vowed to clear their names and play for their national side once again. However, if the players fail in getting themselves acquitted the ICC is mostly likely going to slap life bans on them, ending their careers immediately. The problematic
situation for the players is that once the ICC gives its verdict the players will not be able to challenge it in any court of law.
The ICC has also advised the cricket boards of all the member countries to make their code of conduct stricter in order to make sure that the players know the consequences of indulging in corrupt practices. The ICC has invited recommendations from member
associations which will help in making the system fool proof against.
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