CRICKET CHIEFS are confident the Ashes series has not been affected by corruption despite a serious betting allegation. The ICC has confirmed it has received a report from the Australia team making a claim of suspicious bookmaking activity during the series.

Reports yesterday suggested an Australian player was approached by a man suspected to be linked to illegal bookmaking at the team’s hotel, following their defeat by England in the second Test at Lord’s last month.

An ICC statement read: “There is no evidence of any illegal activity as a result of this approach . . and the ICC would like to place on record its praise for the player approached and the Australia team management for reporting the issue.”