Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has denied allegations that he is the name identified as 'Player X' by current captain Brendon McCullum and former batsman Lou Vincent, following a report that 'the net is closing' around a big name in the game.
Cairns, who was named as being under investigation by the ICC with Vincent and Daryl Tuffey, has not been publicly identified as that name, who is alleged to have made approaches for fixing matches to Vincent and McCullum several years ago.
However, The Guardian reported that the former Nottinghamshire player, who retired from international games in 2006, was sufficiently aware of speculation that he is the man in the sights of the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit that he issued a lengthy statement to the media, saying the allegations against him are a 'complete lie'.
Cairns repeated that he has 'nothing to hide' and urged people to 'reserve judgement' until all the facts are brought to light, adding that he believes 'dark forces' with 'long arms, great influence and deep pockets' are at play whom he 'upset' by raising his own concerns about the health of the game.
Stating that he is 'paying the price' for those 'concerns', Cairns further said that Vincent, who was his teammate in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) also, is in a 'desperate position' as he faces potential prosecution, adding that he appears to be willing to falsely accuse him (Cairns) of wrongdoing in trying to negotiate a plea bargain.
Of McCullum, who described Player X as 'his hero', Cairns added he has no understanding why he would say the things he is alleged to have said as he never approached McCullum, or anyone else, about match-fixing or any other improper activity.
Image: Chris Cairns
Photographs: Phil Walter/Getty Images
