Match-fixing is just not cricket for Boycott

Airing his views on the match-fixing controversy, with customary arrogance and elan, the former Yorshireman said, “I felt for many years that it has been going on,” adding “rumour is difficult to be killed.” He, however, explained that since there was no evidence in the form of “pictures or sound” till the Hansie Cronje confession came up, it was difficult to make out.

Boycott felt that the Delhi Police and other investigation agencies in India have “blown cricket wide open,” but added that there was a lot more to come out. “I believe that a lot is still to come out and am sure that the investigating agencies would reach to the bottom of it.”

Ridiculing the affairs of betting in cricket he stressed, “it has no place.”

“I’m afraid but it’s just not cricket,” the stylish Englishman said to drive home his point.

On how difficult it would be now for cricketers to concentrate on the game in the face of these controversies, Boycott said: “Concentration and controversies are like ability and character. One should strive to show the strength of character that will bring out the trueness of a player.”