New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent admits to fixing, faces life ban

Lou Vincent

Lou Vincent, referring to himself as a ‘cheat’, has admitted to his involvement in fixing while playing for a number of teams around the world and apologised to the fans and the cricketing world for his ‘shameful’ activities. He is expected to be handed out a cricketing ban for life by the England Cricket Board (ECB) later today.

The punishment is a consequence of the former Kiwi top order batsman confessing to intentionally underperforming while plying his trade in county cricket for Lancashire and Sussex.

Vincent had already been banned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in 2012 from the Bangladesh Premier League for 3 years for failing to report an approach by the bookmakers.

Since admitting to charges of fixing, he has, to his credit, been willing to divulge all the information that he has about the fixers to the ICC Anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU). He has also dobbed in some of his fellow team-mates, most notably Chris Cairns, who, he alleges, have accompanied him in fixing matches during their playing times.

The life ban shouldn’t come as a surprise to the 35-year-old, as he is facing a total of 14 charges. He has said that he is prepared to accept the penalty, whatever it may, as well.

Vincent’s statement:

“My name is Lou Vincent and I am a cheat. I have abused my position as a professional sportsman on a number of occasions by choosing to accept money in fixing. I have lived with this dark secret for so many years, but months ago I reached the point where I decided I had to come forward and tell the truth.

“It's a truth that has rightly caused uproar and controversy in New Zealand and around the world. I have shamed my country, I have shamed my sport, I have shamed those close to me. And for that, I am not proud.

“I now believe in myself as a person again and I don't wake up every morning hating myself. For the first time in a very long time I feel positive about my future, I am finally becoming the man I want to be. I have to face up to my wrongs and make them right.

“I have kept my head down for too long now and it's time to man up to my mistakes and today, I can stand with a better conscience because I know I am doing the right thing.

“It is entirely my fault and I'll never be able to stand in front of a game again, it's entirely my fault that I will not be able to apply my skills in a positive way to help future cricketers, but it is entirely possible that I can use this moment to convince others not to be tempted by wrongdoing.”