Angela Reakes, Australian women's cricketer suspended for two years

Angela Reakes, the Sydney Sixers and ACT Meteors player, has been penalised by Cricket Australia (CA) for breach of the Anti-Corruption Code and has sanctioned a two-year suspension from playing the game.

She has been banned for two years for betting on the Men’s 2015 World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG on 29th March 2015. She had put a total of $9 as bets on who the “Man of the Match” will be. She put a total of 5 bets.

According to Cricket Australia, she breached “Article 2.2.1 of the Code (Placing, accepting, laying or entering into any bet in relation to the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any match or event).”

The female cricketer recently left the New South Wales Breakers to join the ACT Meteors in the Women’s National Cricket League. Angela Reakes has been officially reprimanded and has been asked to participate in CA’s Anti-Corruption Compliance Education.

Iain Roy, the head CA Integrity Unit reported about the event, he said, “All elite cricketers are reminded regularly that betting on any form of cricket is strictly prohibited.

“It is outlined in the Anti-Corruption training that we deliver on an annual basis and is written into our Code of Behaviour. Angela understands that in placing these bets she made a bad mistake and has acknowledged the seriousness of her error.

“She has been cooperative during the investigation and we believe the penalty in these circumstances is appropriate.”

As the Head of Integrity Unit of CA mentioned about Reakes’ cooperation during the investigation, Angela voluntarily accepted the allegations and is allowed to continue participating in Australian cricket only if she doesn’t breach any further codes.

This shows the quality and strictness that is followed in the sport as the bets were of a mere $9, albeit led to a ban of massive two years to a life of a cricketer, thus affecting her cricketing career.