World Cup 2019: Each team to have a dedicated anti-corruption official during the tournament

With the ICC World Cup set to begin in another fortnight, not just the players, officials and fans are preparing for all the fun but also the bookers and fixing syndicates. And to keep the evil force of fixing at bay, each of the 10 participating teams will have a dedicated anti-corruption officer during the tournament. The aim is to ensure that the upcoming event remains a clean affair and some of the past ghosts do not revisit to haunt the tournament.

In earlier times, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit had personnel deployed at each venue of the World Cup which meant that the teams would have to deal with a number of officials during the course of the tournament.

This time, the same officials will be assigned to a team from the warm-up matches starting May 24 till the end of the competition on July 14. The official will also be staying at the same hotel as with the players and travelling with them to their training sessions and matches, The Telegraph, UK, reported.

The move is expected to improve bonding between players and officials

According to the cricket authorities, the move will see better relations growing between the players and the anti-corruption unit during the tournament and beyond. Also, by being with the players during the World Cup, the anti-corruption officials will be in a better position to spot any potential menace in terms of suspicious people approaching the players or the back-room staff members and take action accordingly.

ICC not keeping anything to chances

Even though there have been no earth-shattering incidents of fixing and booking in recent times, yet the ICC is not ready to take any chances. England has seen fixing scandals in Test cricket earlier and banning of cricketers. And recently, a 10-over league in the United Arab Emirates saw the emergence of fixing charges. Even two former Sri Lankan international cricketers were accused of a series of anti-corruption breaches.

The World Cup is starting May 30 when hosts England will take on South Africa in Kennington Oval. The final will be played at the Lord’s.

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