Mystery cricket corrupter may be Danish Kaneria: Report

The mystery cricketer described by a judge to tarnish the game may be Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria.

London: The mystery cricketer described by a judge as the "alleged corrupter" in the latest spot-fixing scandal to tarnish the game may be the Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria, a media report said on Sunday.

Essex player Mervyn Westfield pleaded guilty last week at the Old Bailey to accepting 6,000 pounds to concede a pre-arranged number of runs during an over in a County match against Durham in September 2009. Justice Anthony Morris warned Westfield he faces a possible prison term when he is sentenced next month and said he would identify the man suspected of playing a part in his downfall. "The alleged corrupter is a man who is known to me and many people interested in cricket," Westfield said. The 31-year-old Kaneria was arrested as part of the inquiry into the case but released without charge. While he accepts he arranged a meeting between Westfield and the bookmaker, he insists he had no knowledge of the plot. According to a report in `The Sunday Times`, Stephen Hourigan, his barrister, confirmed Kaneria had made the introduction but insisted he had done so unwittingly. "Danish knew the person but didn`t know what he was up to. Danish was innocently involved." In return for the 6,000 pounds, Westfield agreed to concede 12 runs in his first over. In fact, he conceded only 10 runs. The Pakistan Cricket Board has barred Kaneria, a leg- spinner, who has taken 261 wickets in 61 Tests, from the international side, which he is fighting in the Pakistani courts. PTI