NZC confirm investigation into Auckland games

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White speaking to the media from the New Zealand Cricket offices in Auckland. Photo / Sarah Ivey.

New Zealand Cricket have confirmed that games involving the Auckland Aces at the 2012 Champions League in South Africa are being investigated by the ICC.

First revealed by the Herald in December, NZC responded following a report in London's Daily Telegraph, that stated Lou Vincent was seeking a plea bargain with investigators in return for information.

Vincent, a former New Zealand batsmen, is co-operating with the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit as it investigates claims of spot-and match-fixing across Asia, South Africa and the UK.

he is being investigated, along with former allrounder Chris Cairns and seam bowler Darryl Tuffey. Both deny any wrongdoing.

"We can confirm the following," said NZC chief executive David White at a hastily arranged press conference. "No games played in New Zealand are being investigated by the ICC. No current Black Caps are being investigated. No matches involving New Zealand national teams are being investigated, however we have been informed by the ICC that some Auckland Aces matches in the Champions League in SA in 2012 are being investigated.

"I would like to stress that we understand that this is very much an isolated incident. Match fixing is a threat to cricket around the globe and we remain 100 per cent behind the ICC in their focus on fighting corruption."

White said NZC knew about the Aces' involvement when the Herald broke the story six months ago, but could not comment because it had not been given authority to by the ICC.
White also acknowledged he was "sad" about Vincent's involvement.