by Renee Israel
The future of Pakistani national Essex star, Danish Kaneria is in
doubt after police announced that they would be investigating an alleged cricket
betting scandal, with Kaneria's name linked to the probe.
Kaneria and another player in the team are to be questioned following
"irregularities" in a number of one-day matches that took part in last summer's
cricket season.
The 29 year old Kaneria is currently playing in a domestic tournament in
Pakistan and a question mark now lies over his return to Essex.
When asked whether his delay back to Essex, had anything to do with the
probe, Kaneria said: "I told the Essex administration that I would play in a
domestic event, so I would not be able to reach there on April 7."
It has been suggested that while the suspected players did not actively throw
the matches in question, they manipulated passages of play by bowling poorly.
The coach for Essex, Paul Grayson, would not say anything about the incident,
noting curtly that "I am not allowed to comment."
However, Kaneria himself furiously denied any role in the cricket betting
scandal and said in an interview to the Mirror: "The story is baseless. I
have played my cricket for Pakistan, as well as for Essex, with pride and
honesty. I try my best for the county and helped us get promoted."
"For the last two years I have been Essex's best performer," Kaneria reminded
the public, "and have never done anything wrong."
The police intend to focus on a televised 40 over game at the end of the last
cricket season.
Kaneria said that he was more than ready to cooperate with the police and
play whatever role needed in the investigation.
"No one from Essex has contacted me, but I will be ready to undergo any
investigation," he insisted. "I will also take legal advice on such baseless
reports."
