On this day in 2012: Danish Kaneria handed lifetime ban by ECB for spot-fixing

Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was handed a lifetime ban by the England and Wales Cricket Board on this day in 2012 for his involvement in a spot-fixing plot.
The then 31-year-old was found guilty of “cajoling and pressurising” former Essex team-mate Mervyn Westfield into accepting cash in return for trying to concede a set number of runs in an over during a one-day match against Durham in 2009.
Gerard Elias QC said Kaneria was viewed as a “grave danger to the game of cricket” as he imposed a life ban from playing cricket in England and Wales.
Westfield, who had been sentenced to four months in jail – of which he ended up serving two – earlier that year after pleading guilty to spot-fixing at the Old Bailey, was given a five-year ban from the sport.

Kaneria denied all involvement and immediately indicated his intention to contest the decision. But his appeal was dismissed by a Cricket Discipline Commission panel in 2013.
In an interview with Al Jazeera in 2018, Kaneria admitted his role in the spot-fixing scandal and apologised to Westfield, who was 23 at the time of his ban.
He said: “My name is Danish Kaneria and I admit that I was guilty of the two charges brought against me by the England and Wales Cricket Board is 2012.
“I have become strong enough to make this decision, because you cannot live a life with lies. I want to apologise to Mervyn Westfield, my Essex teammates, my Essex cricket club, my Essex cricket fans. I say sorry to Pakistan.”

The spinner made his Test debut for Pakistan against England in 2000 and played 61 times in the format before his final match against the same opposition in 2010.
He finished with 261 Test wickets, leaving him fourth in Pakistan’s all-time list behind Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Imran Khan.
Kaneria also played 18 one-day internationals between 2001 and 2007, taking 261 wickets.
Latest
-
News
Olly Stone ready for whatever role is required to make England World Cup squad
‘Any way in the England team, I’ll snap someone’s hand off,’ said Stone.
-
Women's Cricket
Dane van Niekerk ‘absolutely broken’ to miss World Cup over fitness standards
The South Africa captain was unable to complete a two-kilometre run in the minimum required time.
-
England
Run of defeats has not damaged England’s confidence, insists Moeen Ali
The all-rounder is confident England will be in good shape for the defence of their World Cup crown.
-
County Cricket
Lancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
England
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
England
Jason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
England
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.