Hello West Indies:

n light of the recent release of The Commission Of Inquiry Into Cricket Match Fixing And Related Matters, I find it detrimental to the future of West Indies cricket for star batsman Brian Lara to remain tightlipped over allegations he accepted $40,000 for match fixing. I would advice West Indies manager Ricky Skerritt, to comprehensively read and digest the 40-page document that was presented to Mr. TM Mbeki of South Africa before committing any support on behalf of West Indies cricket team for Lara. I would encourage him to follow closely the disclosures made in the probe report by South African captain, Hansie Cronje. On November 5, 2000 in Australia, Skerritt made the "unauthorized" statement that, "West Indies team is fully behind Lara and will do everything to help during a difficult time." I am quite sure that Skerritt cannot be one hundred percent certain of the movements, doings and contacts of a man of Lara's statue. Lara is international, and as such, Skerritt is incapable of monitoring his comings and goings. By Lara refusing to comment on the allegation that, on the first full day in Australia, Indian bookmaker, M.K. Gupta made a payment of $40,000 to him, to under-perform in two one-day matches during the team's tour of India in 1995, is to be playing with the future of cricket in the West Indies, and pretty much undermined those who accompanied him on that tour. The fact that West Indies cricket is at an all time low, we can't afford to be drawn into what is now becoming an "international sport disgrace." The cricket commission report reads like an espionage novel. The cricket commission probe uncovered murder, kidnapping, prostitution and undercover surveillance. The fact that Lara was named among eight other international cricketers alleged to have accepted cash to fix matches, under-perform, provide pitch conditions, weather and team information---is not far-fetch! Lara along with Hansie Cronje (South Africa), Alec Stewart (England), Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka), Martin Crowe (New Zealand), Asif Iqbal and Salem Malik (Pakistan) and Mark Waugh (Australia) are all part of why the President of the Republic of South Africa called for an immediate inquiry into match fixing. Now, one does not have to be Sherlock Holms to deduce these co incidents: In London, Lara issued a statement categorically denying taking money from a bookmaker or anyone else to under-perform. However, he has adamantly refused to talk to the media on the issue. Ironically, former disgraced South African captain Hansie Cronje, took the same stance as Lara; that he never took any money for match fixing. To the contrary, he has now become the "poster child" in the notorious cricket scandal. Almost all of those who were named or accused of the alleged match-fixing are defending their names, trying not to disgrace their nation, except Lara. Former Indian wicketkeeper, Nayan Mongia said he was shock to hear about his ban, as he was not involved in the controversy. According to him, "I am a God-fearing man and I would not even think of doing anything like that. Sri Lanka star batsman, Aravinda de Silva who is among the infamous nine like Lara said, according to an article in Cricline, he was approached by several persons in the past who tried to offer him money during his tour to India and that he had decline the offers. What about Lara's friend, former England captain Alec Stewart? Unlike Lara, he continued to him, "I have not a clue why my name is there. I was shocked when I got a phone call telling me I was named and I have been in a state of shock since then." Skerritt in a statement made in Australia said, that Lara was remaining silent on the advice of his London lawyer. According to Skerritt, Lara would like to comment, but would not do so until he received the green light. Well, a reading of the interim report of the commission signed at Cape Town on August 11, 2000, should make him realize that his star batsman could be a liability. It is inconceivable for me to sit here in the Caribbean and believe that Lara, from the day he started his cricket career until now, was never even approach by anyone asking for his services as far as match fixing and other related matters are concern. The West Indies Cricket Board Of Control should adopt the terms of reference requiring a preliminary investigation as the commission did. On those terms, and if the allegation against Lara is true, it should find out: (1) the identity of the person from whom he allegedly received money or monies; (2) who was aware of the payment; (3) the intended purpose of the payment; and (4) any other matters or persons related or incidental to such payment. According to former West Indies captain, Jimmy Adams, when he was asked as to his opinion on match fixing, he said he felt that corruption in the game would not be removed completely. He stated, "will you get to the point where cricketers will never be approached? How do you solve that? Well in my honest opinion, by coming to the forefront! By not doing so, is to be bowled LBW.