Steve Waugh warns of 'bracket-fixing', the newest threat to cricket
With bracket fixing, a small segment of a limited-overs contest is manipulated to ensure that a certain number of runs are scored or a specific number of wickets are taken. Former Aussie skipper wants introduction of lie detector tests during investigations.
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has warned of a new 'strategy' to fix matches. It's called 'bracket' fixing and apparently seems to be working well in T20 matches. In excerpts from his new book -- The Meaning of Luck -- published in the Herald Sun, Waugh claims bracket-fixing is a greater threat to the sport than spot-fixing, as the desired result can be achieved effectively. Waugh even calls for lie detector tests for players to come clean.
"A much bigger threat to cricket lurks around what is commonly known as 'bracket fixing', which can be controlled by crooked players and remain undetected or be easily explained away," Waugh wrote. With bracket fixing, a small segment of a limited-overs contest is manipulated to ensure that a certain number of runs are scored or a specific number of wickets are taken over a definite period.
"If a captain is involved, the whole process can be achieved discreetly and effectively..." Waugh wrote. The 48-year-old said that second tier domestic T20 competitions were most susceptible to this scheme.
Waugh believes that the dangers of fixing are more prevalent due to private ownership in T20 leagues across the world. He cites an example of an owner of an unnamed franchise influencing decisions about selection and tactics.
"I learned of an Australian player with exemplary ethics and credibility who was informed he was the captain ... quickly, he sensed he was going to be the owner's puppet. So he turned the captaincy down and was promptly dropped for his team's first four matches," writes Waugh.
The two-time World Cup winner calls for the introduction of lie-detector tests to snuff out corruption in cricket. "If a player hasn't done anything wrong, he won't be afraid. He will have an avenue to clear his name."
Waugh also alleged that certain national cricket boards did not fully probe leads into match-fixing at the turn of the century. He felt that administrative bodies were fearful that "more star players might be implicated".
Waugh strongly feels that while "easy money will always be a temptation too great to resist for some people", he wants to reach a stage where cricket is true, genuine and vigorously contested.