Haddin rubbishes 'laughable' spot-fix claim
Australia dismisses as "laughable" claims that the ICC was investigating their World Cup match against Zimbabwe.
COLOMBO:
Australia on Tuesday dismissed as "laughable" claims that the International Cricket Council was investigating their World Cup match against Zimbabwe for slow batting.
"It's quite a laughable story. It's a joke," Haddin told reporters during the team's net session at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club on Tuesday.
Australian openers Brad Haddin and Shane Watson made sedate progress against Zimbabwe's spinners early in their innings in the February 21 Group A game in Ahmedabad, reaching 5-0 from two overs and 28-0 off the first 11 overs.
The pair eventually added 61 in 18.4 overs as Australia made 262-6, with Haddin scoring 29 off 66 balls before falling lbw to Prosper Utseya.
"It's not a case (of match-fixing), we just got off the mark a bit slowly," said wicketkeeper Haddin.
The Times of India website on Tuesday said the slow start in the first two overs were "scrutinised by the International Cricket Council anti-corruption and security unit".
"Sources aware of developments said the ICC ACSU (Anti-Corruption and Security Unit) had carried out a quiet review of the match after questions were raised over the slow start taken by Watson and Haddin.
"With the spectre of spot-fixing now looming over international cricket following the bans on three Pakistani players, sources said the ICC ACSU was keeping a vigilant eye on all matches in the World Cup and the slow start by the Australian openers caught their attention."
However, Haddin dismissed the claims and said the ICC ACSU had not approached the Australian team.
Australia on Tuesday dismissed as "laughable" claims that the International Cricket Council was investigating their World Cup match against Zimbabwe for slow batting.
"It's quite a laughable story. It's a joke," Haddin told reporters during the team's net session at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club on Tuesday.
Australian openers Brad Haddin and Shane Watson made sedate progress against Zimbabwe's spinners early in their innings in the February 21 Group A game in Ahmedabad, reaching 5-0 from two overs and 28-0 off the first 11 overs.
The pair eventually added 61 in 18.4 overs as Australia made 262-6, with Haddin scoring 29 off 66 balls before falling lbw to Prosper Utseya.
"It's not a case (of match-fixing), we just got off the mark a bit slowly," said wicketkeeper Haddin.
The Times of India website on Tuesday said the slow start in the first two overs were "scrutinised by the International Cricket Council anti-corruption and security unit".
"Sources aware of developments said the ICC ACSU (Anti-Corruption and Security Unit) had carried out a quiet review of the match after questions were raised over the slow start taken by Watson and Haddin.
"With the spectre of spot-fixing now looming over international cricket following the bans on three Pakistani players, sources said the ICC ACSU was keeping a vigilant eye on all matches in the World Cup and the slow start by the Australian openers caught their attention."
However, Haddin dismissed the claims and said the ICC ACSU had not approached the Australian team.