Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns faces match-fixing interview as ICC regrets leak

Chris Cairns has been linked to match-fixing (Getty Images)

The International Cricket Council chief executive, Dave Richardson, has said it will find out how evidence given to a match-fixing probe was leaked, while also confirming former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns will be interviewed as part of the fixing investigation.

Last week, excerpts of confidential statements to the ICC's Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) were published from former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent, who is cooperating with the ACSU, and current captain Brendon McCullum.

Richardson said the ICC "deeply regretted" the leaks and reiterated that McCullum was not under investigation. "We are taking all steps available to us to urgently investigate how certain information in the form of statements has come to find its way into the media," he said in a statement.

Richardson told Radio New Zealand that the investigation into the leaks had already been launched but said it was premature to suggest they had come from within the ICC. "This is an investigation that crosses three or four jurisdictions and involves liaison with other stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, players who have been interviewed," he said. "Of course we are devastated with these leaks."

Richardson added that Cairns, who has been linked to match-fixing, would be interviewed.

"He will have been told why that has not happened," Richardson said. "In the course of investigations a number of people have been spoken to and Chris Cairns will be interviewed when the time comes, when it is appropriate and when it is possible to do so."

Former bowler Daryl Tuffey also issued a statement through his lawyers denying any involvement in the matchfixing scandal and expressing his commitment to cooperate with the investigators.

PA