Alviro Petersen under investigation in the match-fixing scandal

The former South Africa opener, Alviro Petersen, has emerged as the highest-profile player under investigation in the match-fixing scandal that has rocked South African cricket. Petersen is one of five players from the Lions franchise, three of whom are former Proteas, being investigated for considering middleman Gulam Bodi’s plans to fix aspects of last year’s Ram Slam Twenty20 competition. One player from the Titans franchise is also under investigation. Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Thami Tsolekile are the other two former South Africa and Lions players.

Yet Petersen, who retired from international cricket last January after opening the batting in 36 Tests, is the most interesting of the lot. Having listened to Bodi’s plans and gone on to meet with the Indian gentlemen behind the former South Africa all-rounder’s overtures, Petersen is believed to have turned whistleblower and revealed everything to Cricket South Africa’s Anti-Corruption unit as reported by Wisden India.

As a result, the investigators examining the case would appear to face a tricky task in determining which side Petersen was playing for, and how he should be dealt with. But according to sources, the 35-year-old has not appeared overly perturbed by his situation or what the future may hold. His contract with the Lions expires at the end of this season and it is understood that he is eager to negotiate a new one, suggesting that he does not expect to receive a lengthy ban when the investigation is concluded.

Approached for comment by Wisden India, Petersen neither confirmed nor denied his involvement in a text conversation. Asked whether he considered offers to spot-fix but was also the whistleblower, he replied: “Wow, I could have been richer then. Apparently you can make a lot of money from fixing games. lol.” CSA (Cricket South Africa) has not made any comments thus far.

In January, Bodi was banned from all cricket-related activities for 20 years by CSA, five of which are suspended. But he remains the only person to be named by the organisation, despite the fact that the investigation is about to enter its fifth month.