Bookmaker helps to fight corruption

The International Cricket Council has signed an agreement with the betting exchange company Betfair to obtain more information on individuals suspected of corruption.

The ICC's chief executive, Malcolm Speed, said the memorandum of understanding would allow for a greater level of information from the gambling industry. The ICC's anti-corruption and security unit will be able to request information from Betfair to identify individuals suspected of corruption or match-fixing.

"Over recent years, cricket has come a long way in tackling the evils of corruption but it can never relax," Speed said. "This agreement is part of our ongoing commitment to the eradication of conduct of a corrupt nature prejudicial to the interests of the game."

A Betfair spokesman, Mark Davies, said the agreement "is the best way to ensure that sport is kept free of crime. Betfair has no vested interest in the outcome of any event and our interests are absolutely in line with those who run the events. This is good news for the integrity of sport."

Betfair, a British company based in London, also has an agreement with the Association of Tennis Professionals.

The company operates via a website, with all bets placed there by users who either want to have a bet in the normal way or offer odds to other gamblers.

A Dutch venue, the VRS ground in Amstelveen, is to be inspected this month to assess its suitability as a venue for the one-day series between Pakistan, India and Australia later this year.