 "Brendon McCullum hits out at ICC’s 'casual' approach to fixing in his Spirit of Cricket lecture")
London: Brendon McCullum said Monday he stood by the evidence he gave against New Zealand great Chris Cairns as he urged the International Cricket Council to be more “professional” in dealing with players alleging match-fixing. Former New Zealand captain McCullum, delivering the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s, also questioned whether handing out life bans to players such as former team-mate Lou Vincent, who acknowledged their wrongdoing, would encourage others to come forward. [caption id=“attachment_2179085” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Brendon McCullum. Getty Images[/caption] McCullum, then still an active international cricketer, gave evidence against Cairns in a perjury trial in London which ended with the acquittal of the former all-rounder in November last year. Charges were brought against Cairns after he sued Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi for libel in 2012 over a 2010 tweet in which the administrator accused him of match-fixing. McCullum, as he had done in court, said “former hero” Cairns had approached him to fix matches - allegations Cairns denies. “I think it is appropriate, standing here at ’the Home of Cricket’ (Lord’s), to confirm that I stand by everything said in my statements and the evidence I gave at Southwark Crown Court,” McCullum, 34, said. Players are told that failure to report an approach is almost as serious as any offence itself. McCullum added he did not report Cairns’s approach until 2011 because he felt “scared”, and was later taken back by the “very casual” manner in which his allegations were noted, but not recorded, by a member of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU).
.@WisdenAlmanack cricketer of year Brendon McCullum presented with leather bound copy at #CowdreyLecture dinner pic.twitter.com/IKDCYgIvJg
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 6, 2016
‘Deserve better’ McCullum then made two more statements, another to the ACSU and to London’s Metropolitan Police. Recalling he was “hammered” by Cairns’ lawyer for making three statements, McCullum said someone at the ICC should have realised his evidence might one day be used in court. “I think players deserve better from the ICC and that, in the future, the evidence gathering exercise has to be much more thorough, more professional. “In my opinion a person taking a statement should ensure that the witness is advised about what may occur.” McCullum’s evidence was then leaked to Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper. “How can the game’s governing body expect players to co-operate with it when it is then responsible for leaking confidential statements to the media?,” he said Monday. ‘Clemency’ Vincent, who also gave evidence against Cairns, was banned from cricket for life in 2014 after he admitted his involvement in spot-fixing – where players deliberately under-perform to help stage a betting coup. “Perhaps the worst part is that Lou is unable to go to a cricket ground anywhere in the world,” said McCullum. “He can never watch his children play at any level. “I struggle with the severity of this when a player has cooperated fully and accepted responsibility. “It is vital that players found guilty of offences having acknowledged wrongdoing are shown a degree of clemency - failing which there seems to be very little incentive for them to come forward.” McCullum led New Zealand to the final of last year’s World Cup and bowed out of international cricket by scoring the fastest-ever Test hundred, off just 54 balls, against Australia at Christchurch in February. He was also praised for the sporting way in which he captained New Zealand, with the team abandoning “sledging” – verbal abuse of opponents – under his leadership. “In changing the way we approached the game, and respected the opposition, we wanted to be true to our national identity,” McCullum said. “In terms of that, New Zealanders identify with strong silent types. “Perhaps our greatest hero is Sir Edmund Hilary – the first person to climb Mount Everest…He never spoke boastfully about his remarkable achievements. “We wanted to be a team that people could be proud of; and if in doubt we wanted to play the game aggressively, not fear failure. “I have been given too much credit for what we achieved…Everyone brought into it and lived it and breathed it.” Brendon McCullum’s speech was praised by former cricketers and cricket writers for its honesty and courage. Here is what people had to say
Outstanding inspiring words from Brendon McCullum. Honest and from the heart. A privilege to be there #CowdreyLecture
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 6, 2016
Brendon McCullum hits out at ICC over handling of match-fixing accusations | https://t.co/PfRNsgfsEv https://t.co/h2vZ2NRLy2
— Chloe Saltau (@chloejane32) June 7, 2016
I didn't think it was possible for my estimation of BMac to be raised further. I was wrong. Check this out. https://t.co/Y1AbzHpB8z
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) June 7, 2016
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMcCullum slams ICC's namby pamby approach towards corruption in his MCC Spirit Of Cricket lecture: https://t.co/HpWPTsKCUv
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 7, 2016
Here are some of the best clips from McCullum’s much-praised speech: On players deserving better treatment from ICC
Brendon McCullum says "players deserve better from the ICC" in relation to reporting match fixing #CowdreyLecture https://t.co/lvE9xLCgYS
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 6, 2016
On Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers record stand in the IPL
"I had the best seat in the house" McCullum on @imVkohli & @ABdeVilliers17's 229 run @ipl stand #CowdreyLecture https://t.co/qNcJ7zQbwA
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 6, 2016
On comparisons between Sachin Tendulkar and Alastair Cook
McCullum: "It's a waste of time" to compare Cook & @sachin_rt's run feats - just enjoy each player #CowdreyLecture https://t.co/NI9tHYJPfi
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 6, 2016
Watch the full video here:
With inputs from agencies
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