20 May,2014 08:43 AM IST | | Agencies
Former new Zealand all-rounder quashes rumours that he is the cricketer that CSK batsman Brendon McCullum hinted during a match-fixing investigation
Chris Cairns
Wellington: Responding to Brendon McCullum's claims that a former star, Player X, whom he described as "a hero who became a friend", offered him up to 107,000 Pounds (USD 180,000) to underperform in matches, Chris Cairns issued a statement to end the rumours that he was 'player X'.
Chris Cairns
Cairns' statement, which was released to Fairfax Media yesterday, said: "I am aware that former cricketer Lou Vincent and current New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum have made a range of allegations against a cricketer dubbed 'player X'.
"It is well known that the ICC/ACSU has been investigating allegations of corruption and my name has been linked by others to these allegations. I am being asked whether I am Player X. Based on the limited information I have received during this investigation, I believe it is being alleged that I am that player.
These allegations against me are a complete lie." Player X is believed to be the same person who former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent admitted that he fixed matches for.
Cairns' also revealed that he has repeatedly asked the ICC to provide him with copies of Vincent's and McCullum's statements but he never received them. "They decline to do so (hand over copies of the statements) but seem happy to leak information to the media which they deny to me.
As for Lou Vincent, he appears to have confessed to match-fixing in games played in numerous countries around the world, most of which I have had no connection to.
Lou falsely accusing me
"He is in a desperate position. He faces potential prosecution and in trying to negotiate a plea bargain he appears to be willing to falsely accuse me of wrongdoing.
"As for Brendon McCullum, I have no understanding why he would say the things he is alleged to have said. To be clear, I have never approached Brendon, or anyone else, about match-fixing or any other improper activity. I am doing everything I can to get to the bottom of these allegations," Cairns said.
