BCCI to probe WC winner's bookie link, England star fit for the fourth Test and more - Cricket News Today, 28th August 2018

The vestiges of spot-fixing continues to rock the cricket world. After Al Jazeera announced the airing of another investigative documentary, Cricket Australia have emphatically dismissed those allegations involving their national players.

Meanwhile, the BCCI's Committee of Administrators (CoA) have ordered a probe into a former chief investigator's claims connecting a World Cup-winning Indian cricketer and a known bookie.

In other news, England's Jonny Bairstow has been declared fit for the upcoming fourth Test against India. Ahead of the Southampton tussle, Graeme Swann has lavished high praise on Ravichandran Ashwin by terming him the best off-spinner in the current game.

Here are all of today's important developments from the cricket world.

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#1 Wahab Riaz targets World Cup 2019 selection

Wahab's last ODI appearance came in the group match against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy

Discarded pacer Wahab Riaz is targeting selection in Pakistan's campaign in the 2019 World Cup. Even though he has fallen out of favour with the selectors in recent times, the left-armer points to his numerous comeback stints in the past whilst expressing his hope.

"I was able to convince the selection committee then (in the past) and I believe I can do it again. At the moment, being selected for the 2019 World Cup for Pakistan and performing well is my main, and only, priority at this time. There is also the 2020 World T20 on the horizon but I am firmly focused on playing in the 2019 World Cup at the moment", Wahab told PakPassion.net.

Wahab last played ODI cricket for Pakistan during their group stage match against arch-rivals India in the 2017 Champions Trophy. Since the disastrous showing in that particular game, he has seen his spot taken over by younger fast bowlers.

#2 BCCI to probe Indian cricketer's alleged link with bookie

Vinod Rai currently heads the Committee of Administrators

Following a slew of claims made by chief investigator BB Misra, the BCCI's Committee of Administrators has ordered a fresh probe. According to CoA chief Vinod Rai, the board's Anti-Corruption Unit has been instructed to look into the matter.

Rai stated, "We have read the reports, looked into them and will take the necessary steps. As the board doesn’t have any record or evidence about the particular findings, as it was not given to the board and which only the court has access to, we will ask the court to provide them. Also, we have informed the anti-corruption unit chief and he will take further steps after studying the events."

During last week, reports emerged of a World Cup winning Indian player's alleged link with a bookie in 2008/09. Misra, who served as the chief investigator of the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal, cited time constraints for not pursuing the lead further.

#3 Cricket Australia reject spot-fixing allegations against national stars

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has rushed to the defense of his national players

With Al Jazeera set to air another documentary alleging spot-fixing against Australian players, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has vehemently rejected those accusations by the Middle-Eastern based television network.

Having made spot-fixing claims in a controversial documentary during May, Al Jazeera is preparing to air a documentary on similar lines.

Cricket Australia have confirmed that their Integrity Unit looked into those claims pertaining to matches which had taken place in 2011.

Sutherland stated, "Cricket Australia's Integrity Unit have conducted a review of the latest claims by Al Jazeera, from a known criminal source, and, from the limited information provided by Al Jazeera, our team has not identified any issues of corruption relating to current or former Australian players. We have handed all material over to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to enable them to fully investigate and we will continue to cooperate with the ICC."

#4 Swann labels Ashwin as world's best off-spinner

Ashwin is gradually starting to make an impact outside the subcontinent as well

Former England spinner Graeme Swann has labelled Ravichandran Ashwin as the world's best off-spinner. Lauding the Indian stalwart for his performance in the first Test against England at Edgbaston, the 39-year old has placed him above Australia's Nathan Lyon at the top of the pedestal in the purest format.

In an interview with TOI, Swann enthused, "Ashwin is easily the best off-spinner in the world. His record in the subcontinent is phenomenal and I loved the way he bowled at Edgbaston. Australia's Nathan Lyon has come up brilliantly and I am impressed by the fact that he has been successful back home. He hasn't been as effective in England and I would keep Ashwin just ahead of him because of the variations he has, in addition to being brilliantly consistent."

Whilst affirming Ashwin as the best current spinner in Tests, Swann also picked Afghanistan star Rashid Khan as the most exciting slow bowler in the shortest format of the game.

#5 Jonny Bairstow declared fit for Southampton Test

Bairstow is eager to retain his wicket-keeping gloves at Southampton

Ahead of the fourth Test against India, England have received a major boost as Jonny Bairstow has been cleared to play. The 28-year old has recovered adequate fitness to be available for the crucial contest at Southampton.

Whilst it remains unclear if he will retain his wicket-keeping gloves, Bairstow has expressed eagerness to continue his dual role at the Ageas Bowl as well. The fourth Test between England and India will begin on the 30th.

Bairstow asserted, "The finger feels good, the swelling has gone down, and it is a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I am going to try and keep wicket in training. You obviously want to play so, if I am not able to keep wicket, then I'd like to think I would play as a specialist batsman. But at the same time, I am desperate to try and keep my place as the keeper."