Australia sets up anti-corruption unit

Cricket Australia on Wednesday formed an Anti-Corruption and Security Unit to help maintain the integrity of the country's domestic competitions.

The unit will oversee the Sheffield Shield, Ryobi Cup and the newly-formed Big Bash League with the International Cricket Council continuing to monitor international competitions.

Members of the unit will have an at-venue presence during domestic matches while handling anti-corruption education programmes for players.

"Betting-related corruption is a significant issue to sport in general and Cricket Australia is determined to institute measures that safeguard the integrity of our sport," said CA chief executive James Sutherland.

"There has been no evidence of problems in domestic cricket but we want to move proactively on the basis that vigilance and constant education is critical.

"The unit will give our domestic cricket bodies a specialised resource to call on to protect our sport from instances of corruption, and underscores our dedication to stamping out illegal activity."

Establishment of the unit comes just weeks after a British judge jailed disgraced former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt, two of his bowlers and their agent for their part in a fixing scandal that rocked the game.

Sports Minister Mark Arbib said Cricket Australia's initiative complemented the work the government was doing in the fight against match-fixing.

"We are working to empower Australia's sports to ensure their athletes are protected, and that everyone involved with sport understands the importance of combating match-fixing," he said.