Former New Zealand international cricketer Lou Vincent has received his first suspension for match-fixing; Cricinfo reports:
Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful has been banned for eight years (three years suspended) by the BPL anti-corruption tribunal for his involvement in match and spot-fixing in the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League.Dhaka Gladiators' managing director Shihab Chowdhury has been banned for ten years (three years suspended) for fixing, former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent is out for three years, and Sri Lanka batsman Kaushal Lokuarachchi gets an 18-month ban for failing to report an approach. In February, Vincent had admitted to not reporting a bookie's approach.
As the story notes, Vincent was one of four people charged. Here's more about his specific offences:
Chowdhury has been charged on article 6.2 and 6.5, which means he cannot participate in any cricketing activities. He also has been fined Tk 20 lakh, to be paid to the BCB. He has been found guilty of being party to fixing the Chittagong match held on February 2, 2013. This decision was first announced on February 26 this year, when the tribunal released the short verdict.Vincent too was charged under the same articles as Chowdhury, while Lokuarachchi was charged under article 2.4.2. "The tribunal imposes ineligibility for 18 months on Kaushal Lokuarachchi," Khademul said. "There was one charge against him, and that is his failure to report a corrupted approach. Someone had asked him if he wants to fix match, and he didn't report it. He has been found guilty under article 2.4.2 of the BCB's code."Lou Vincent, the New Zealand cricketer, has been punished with a three-year ban. He has been found guilty under article 6.2 and 6.5,"
This suspension of course is a mere prelude to the main events to follow. Lou Vincent has also been charged by the England Cricket Board for match-fixing in English county matches, and Cricket Australia is planning charges against him. The ICC is still investigating other allegations.
It is highly likely that Lou Vincent will ultimately be banned for life for match-fixing. The only redeeming feature for him is that he has been open with cricket authorities about his participation, although Chris Cairns may not necessarily see that as a redeeming feature!
But if a life ban ensues, Vincent will have no one to blame but himself. There is no place in cricket for corruption and cheating.
