<p><strong>Naive to think NZ players had not been approached: Iain O'Brien – Cricket News Update</strong></p>
<p>Former New Zealand cricketer, Iain O’Brein, has pointed out that it would be “naive” to assume that Kiwi players had not been approached with match-fixing propositions, after New Zealand Cricket denied recent allegations against their players.</p>
<p>The cricketing world found itself embroiled in a string of controversies following a shocking exposé of illegal behind-the-scenes cricket corruption in UK’s
<em>Sunday Times</em>.</p>
<p>Among the allegations in the report was a book-maker’s claim that he had been involved in fixing a match with two unnamed New Zealand players in 2010. Yet another book-maker revealed that several (again unnamed) Kiwi cricketers had agreed to meet with him,
but he had decided to cancel the deal, since the upcoming Indian Premier League offered more lucrative opportunities.</p>
<p>The New Zealand Cricket board (NZC) refused to take the report seriously, insisting that the claims were “irresponsible, damaging and untrue,” and had no credibility.</p>
<p>However, O’Brien, who retired from international cricket in 2009, is of the view that the NZC’s stance is not realistic.</p>
<p> “It would be naive to think New Zealand players had not been approached as they were playing everywhere,” said O'Brien.</p>
<p> “… I watch cricket very much without that boyish naivete that I used to watch. I am now almost forced to look for the things that don't add up,” he went on to say. “There would now be questions raised about players who bowled no balls, dropped catches or
underperformed.”</p>
<p>“If it's being gambled on someone's got to win, and if someone wants to win someone wants the inside running,” the 35-year-old pointed out.</p>
<p>In addition to the claims regarding the Black Caps, the report revealed that corruption was rampant in the sport, with match-fixers offering thousands of pounds to players for slow scoring, or for conceding runs. A Delhi-based bookmaker admitted to an undercover
reporter that English county cricket was frequently targeted, owing to the fact that it was low-profile, and barely ever monitored. He also revealed that the World Cup semi-final between Pakistan and India in Mohali last year was rigged.</p>
<p>Despite the shocking nature of the allegations, the ICC and most cricket boards around the world have dismissed the claims, pointing towards the lack of evidence in the report.</p>
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