The latest case of the spot-fixing in the English county circuit, where Essex fast bowler Mervin Westfield pleaded guilty of spot-fixing, is a reminder of the 2010 episode after which three Pakistani cricketers – Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir – not only banned, but later were jailed as well. The fate of Westfield would be decided on February 10, but former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif feared that leg-spinner Kaneria would be further dragged in the case. “I have a strong feeling that they would allege it was Kaneria who corrupted Westfield, as it was said in the case of Muhammad Amir during the eye-catching probe against three Pakistani cricketers”, said Latif said
“I don’t think Kaneria would be sentenced but even though he may be suspected of having had a role, which would be enough to ruin his career”, added Latif who is considered as the whistle blower on match-fixing in the mid 90s.
Mervyn Westfield, the former Essex bowler, has become the first English cricketer to be convicted of spot-fixing after pleading guilty at the Old Bailey, London’s central criminal court, to criminal charges arising from a spot-fixing investigation by Essex police. He pleaded guilty of accepting £6000 to concede 12 runs in his first over of Essex’s Pro40 encounter against Durham in September 2009. Westfield could face a maximum jail term of seven years.
Although Westfield’s teammate, Danish Kaneria was also originally alleged to have been involved, but was later released by the Essex police after thorough questioning in May 2010. The police did not find enough evidence to prosecute Kaneria and released him from his bail conditions with “no further action”.
