Dean Jones to spill beans

SYDNEY, DEC 24: Former Australian Test star Dean Jones will name an international cricketer who helped organise an approach by illegal bookmakers on the 1992 tour of Sri Lanka, a news report said today.Jones said he will reveal to a new Australian Cricket Board ACB inquiry the identity of the player who was with him when a bookmaker offered the US 50,000 for information about team changes and pitch conditions, the Australian newspaper reported.

The cricketer is neither Sri Lankan nor Australian, Jones told the newspaper. 8220;It will be in my report,8221; Jones said. 8220;If they want to release that I have got no problem. I have got nothing to hide.8221;Jones said what happened on that tour had never been extensively covered. 8220;I am not out to get anyone,8221; he said. 8220;I just want to clear my name.8221;The ACB yesterday said an Australian inquiry into the effect of gambling on cricket would begin on January 12, although preliminary interviews will start on January 4. Lawyer Rob O8217;Regan, who will conduct the inquiry,said he intended to interview all Australian Test cricketers since 1992.Jones said in 1992 no one had heard of match fixing or betting. 8220;Back then it was felt to be a laughing matter,8221; he said. 8220;It all means a lot more today than it did then.8221; Former Australian Test great David Boon, who was on the 1992 tour with Jones, said he was prepared to attend the inquiry but didn8217;t think he could add anything new.

8220;The only incident I know about was the one with Dean when he said he had the offer,8221; Boon said. 8220;He asked Allan Border and myself about it and we said don8217;t touch it.8217; As far as I know, he knocked it back.8221;Both Jones and Boon said they had no knowledge of any other Australian cricketers involved with bookmakers.