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
-
NewsMatthew Waite inspires Yorkshire to victory over Warwickshire
The White Rose recovered from two first-over wickets to post 320.
-
NewsVirat Kohli aware England’s batsmen might have ‘scarring’ ahead of India Test
Kohli celebrated a 3-1 series win on home turf as Joe Root’s tourists failed to get to grips with turning surfaces.
-
NewsEngland’s James Anderson ready for India Tests despite ‘not ideal’ preparation
Anderson and new-ball partner Stuart Broad have been short of meaningful competition in recent weeks.
-
NewsHome comforts but an uncertain batting order – England v India talking points
England met their opponents recently at the start of the year in a Test series.
-
NewsEngland paceman Jofra Archer to meet with specialists over ongoing elbow issue
The 26-year-old underwent surgery in May but his initial return to action with Sussex raised further questions.
-
NewsEngland’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh rearranged for March 2023
That trip has now been moved back to the first two weeks of March 2023, with matches due to be held in Dhaka and Chattogram.
-
NewsIndia batsman Mayank Agarwal out of England opener due to suspected concussion
The 30-year-old opener was struck on the helmet during training.
-
NewsJoe Root more interested in Ben Stokes’ welfare than him as England matchwinner
Stokes has taken an indefinite break from the game to prioritise his mental health and fully recover from a finger injury.
-
NewsChris Jordan holds his nerve to secure tight victory for Southern Brave
Rockets grounded as Phoenix rise for handsome win.
-
NewsJames Hildreth helps Somerset to five-wicket victory over Yorkshire
The game was reduced to 20 overs per side by rain.