Cricket Australia are investigating possible integrity breaches by broadcaster Channel Ten during their Big Bash League telecast on Wednesday night.
The network has landed in hot water with CA after what appeared to be a good-humoured live interview with Adelaide Strikers captain Brad Hodge became the subject of an anti-corruption investigation.
More Cricket Videos
Adelaide strike out in BBL finals race
The Strikers bow out of contention for the BBL06 finals, going down to the Melbourne Renegades by six runs at the Adelaide Oval.
Commentator Mark Howard had told Hodge of paceman Ben Laughlin's recent success against Sydney Thunder captain Shane Watson. Laughlin was brought into the attack the following over.
"Our master statistician Lawrie Colliver tells us Laughlin has got Watson twice in the last eight balls he's bowled him in this competition," Howard said.
"Really?" Hodge replied.
"I'll leave that with you skipper," Howard said.
A jovial Hodge then said: "I'll bring him on next over then. Let's get him into the game. Next over bud."
While the dialogue may have come across as a joke to many viewers, CA took a dim view, immediately contacting the network to voice its concern.
![Caught in the middle: Ben Laughlin.](/web/20170119084645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/u/h/s/s/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtuhfi.png/1484809079168.jpg)
With billions now bet on the BBL, CA are on the lookout for even the slightest hint of a corruption threat, wary that information such as that aired by Channel Ten could be abused by punters or bookmakers.
"Australian cricket has a long-standing, proactive approach to sports integrity management. We educate our broadcasters at the beginning of each season in the area of Cricket Australia's Integrity codes and policies so they fully understand the extent we take to ensure the integrity of cricket in the country," a CA spokesperson said.
"We are disappointed with the comments made on the BBL broadcast last night, and expressed this concern immediately to Channel 10 when it occurred.
"Cricket Australia's Integrity unit is looking into the matter further to ensure the comments made during the broadcast did not jeopardise the integrity of last night's match."
The network has apologised to CA, saying all commentators are educated on CA's integrity codes and policies.
"The comments were in no way intended to advise Adelaide Strikers Captain Brad Hodge on game tactics or influence the outcome of the game," a Network Ten spokesperson said.
Knowing your boundaries
Still on Channel Ten and the BBL, the network's Damien Fleming had former Test spinner Gavin Robertson's phone buzzing on Tuesday night with his commentary.
Brisbane Heat's Marnus Labuschagne's first ball in the BBL had gone for five wides, prompting Fleming to recall how Robertson had started his Test and one-day international careers by being hit into the stands. Robertson, however, contacted The Tonk to set the record straight after being bombarded by messages from friends and family who were watching the telecast.
It turns out Fleming was partially right. Robertson was smashed for six on his one-day international debut and in his first ODI on home soil.
So you can imagine Robertson's nerves when he made his Test debut in India in 1998.
To his relief, the spinner landed what he thought was the perfect off-break, which pitched on middle and off, only for Indian opener Nayan Mongia to heave him high into the deep. Fortunately, it landed just inside the boundary.
"When the umpire said "four", it actually gave me confidence," Robertson said.
Cloud over World Cup reunion
It's a big weekend for Australia's victorious 1987 World Cup squad, who - as our readers will be aware - will be celebrating their 30-year reunion in Sydney.
We can also report that each squad member will be awarded a medal having not received one during the trophy presentation back then. The medal will be presented by CA chairman and ICC director David Peever during the dinner break on Sunday's one-day international against Pakistan.
The Tonk will be particularly interested when it's wicketkeeper Greg Dyer's turn to collect his medal from Peever. Dyer is the president of the Australian Cricketers' Association, which is in an industrial dispute with CA.
Formal talks are yet to resume however the two parties have been chatting behind the scenes this week.
Upside of a duck
Australia's underwhelming start with the bat in the one-day series against Pakistan has not pleased coach Darren Lehmann but it has not been all bad.
The golden ducks made by captain Steve Smith and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in the first two games raised more than $20,000 for cricket-based charity The Primary Club of Australia.
The money goes toward helping people with disabilities lead a more active life by funding projects for specialist playground equipment for young children to sports equipment for elite athletes with disabilities.
0 comments
New User? Sign up