(Reuters) – Heath Streak, the former Zimbabwean captain, was slapped with an eight-year ban on corruption dating back to his training periods with the national team and in several Twenty20 leagues, the game’s governing body said yesterday.
The 47-year-old admitted five breaches of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption code and agreed to the sanction, the ICC said in a statement.
“As a former captain and coach, he held a position of trust and had a duty to maintain the integrity of the game,” said Alex Marshall, ICC Integrity Unit General Manager, in the statement.
“He broke the Code on a number of occasions, including facilitating the approach of four other players. At times, he also tried to hinder and delay our investigation. ”
The scanner matches included several international matches in 2018 as well as games in the Twenty20 leagues in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The Indian cricket board did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
“The offenses did not affect the results of any relevant matches and Mr Streak has agreed to assist the ICC’s anti-corruption education program…,” said Marshall.
“He has also expressed his repentance and contrition and made this agreed penalty decision to avoid the need for a full disciplinary process.”
The charges against him included the disclosure of insider information, which could be used for betting purposes.
Another charge was to receive payment in bitcoins from a potential defaulter and failing to disclose it to any anti-corruption officials.
“Heath Streak is a former international cricketer and experienced national team coach, who had participated in a number of anti-corruption education sessions and was fully aware of his responsibilities under the Code,” added Marshall.
Accepting Streak to the allegations means that an anti-corruption tribunal hearing would not be required.
Streak played 65 tests and 189 one-day international matches for Zimbabwe between 1993-2005. After retiring, he also served as the Bangladesh coach and was the two-time IPL champion bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders.