The BCCI on Sunday reacted cautiously to a sting operation which alleged pitch doctoring in three Test matches featuring India, saying it would consider action against implicated former cricketer Robin Morris only if he is found guilty in an ongoing ICC probe.
The sting has been carried out by Al Jazeera channel and the Test matches in question are India vs Sri Lanka (Galle, July 26-29, 2017), India vs Australia (Ranchi, March 16-20, 2017) and India vs England (Chennai, December 16-20, 2016).
The documentary, which aired on Sunday morning, shows Galle stadium assistant manager and curator Tharanga Indika claiming to be able to prepare a pitch to suit a desired outcome.
Investigation reveals the pitch for the Sri Lanka-India Test at Galle in 2017 was doctored to favour batsmen, while the match-fixers allegedly exposed in the documentary – Robin Morris and Tharindu Mendis – also claim the next match to be targeted is England’s Test at the same venue in November.
“We need to check with our Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) whether Morris’ name was there on the suspect list. Secondly, he is not associated with any BCCI or state unit project currently from where we need to pull him out” a senior BCCI Official told.
“So the only thing left is BCCI domestic cricketers’ pension of Rs 22,500 (after deductions). If he is getting that pension, BCCI is well within its rights to cancel that but only after he has been proven guilty,” the official said.
Morris, on his part, has reportedly denied any wrongdoing and has cried conspiracy. In the documentary titled, Morris, alleged to be a match-fixer, is seen introducing Galle curator Tharanga Indika to the undercover reporter and boasting about getting pitches doctored as sought by fixers. The ICC has launched an investigation into the matter.
