Vaughan adds to match-fixing scare by saying he knows of one approach

Vaughan says he knows of an approach (GETTY IMAGES)

The former england captain Michael Vaughan said yesterday that he knows of a player who has been approached to take part in fixing – but does not believe it is widespread in the game. His comments followed a report which said that a county cricketer had been offered £5m to fix televised matches this season.

Essex duo Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield were arrested and bailed earlier this season as part of an investigation into spot-betting – gambling on specific events within a game. Five cricketers and officials have now reported corruption-related approaches to the England and Wales Cricket Board. Vaughan believes some form of fixing is "obviously" happening, but that the integrity of the game is largely intact. "I don't know if it's rife in the game, I just know it's obviously going on. There have been rumours for many a year," he said. "I don't think it's happening all the time.

"I don't think they're actually fixing the outcome of games, I think it's a little bit of spot-fixing. That, to me, is match-fixing because you're influencing the game in other ways.

"I'm really pleased that guys are speaking out. You mustn't just point the finger at the players – there are umpires that may get approaches, there are administrators who could get approaches.

"I know of one [player who has been approached]. I think within all this it's very important that these guys stay anonymous – you hear of gangs and things that could happen."