Former Sussex cricketer banned for life for match-fixing at Hove

The former Sussex and New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent has been banned from the game for life after he admitted match-fixing at Hove.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the ban today (Tuesday 1 July) after Vincent pleaded guilty to 18 breaches of anti-corruption rules.

Fourteen charges related to two fixtures played at Hove in August 2011 – a Sussex v Lancashire Twenty20 match and a Sussex v Kent Clydesdale Bank 40 (CB40) match.

He also admitted four breaches related to a Twenty20 match between Lancashire and Durham in June 2008.

The ECB said: “In accordance with the ECB Anti-Corruption Code, Mr Vincent has accepted an agreed sanction of a life ban from all forms of cricket, in the form of concurrent life bans for each of the 11 offences which carried a life ban.

“The terms of the ban, which required the approval of the ECB’s independent Cricket Discipline Commission, will prevent him from playing, coaching or participating in any form of cricket which is recognised or sanctioned by ECB, the ICC (International Cricket Council) or any other national cricket federation.”

ECB chief executive David Collier said: “This has been a complex case which has crossed different cricketing jurisdictions and required close collaboration and intelligence-sharing between both our own anti-corruption unit, other domestic boards and the ICC’s ACSU (Anti Corruption and Security Unit).

“We are extremely pleased that the matter has now been brought to a satisfactory conclusion and that an individual who repeatedly sought to involve others in corrupt activity for his own personal gain has accepted that his conduct warrants a lifetime ban from cricket.

“It once again highlights our resolve to keep cricket clean and rid the game of the tiny minority who seek to undermine the sport’s integrity.”

The 35-year-old batsman was banned a fortnight after the ECB imposed a life ban on another former Sussex player for match-fixing.

Naveed Arif Gondal, 32, a former Pakistan A bowler, admitted six breaches of the ECB’s Anti-Corruption Code.

All six breaches related to corrupt activity in connection with the CB40 fixture between Sussex and Kent at Hove in August 2011.

Sussex chief executive Zac Toumazi said: “In response to the ECB’s announcement of a life ban from cricket for Lou Vincent, Sussex County Cricket Club can confirm that we have co-operated fully with the ECB ACSU and welcome the sanction imposed.

“The episode has been a very difficult time for our players, staff and indeed all supporters of Sussex Cricket.

“We are determined to do all we can to drive this issue away from our game and remain vigilant and committed in doing so.

“We are grateful for the many messages of support received when this issue became public from those that truly care about Sussex Cricket and the game that we all love.

“It is critical that we understand that this was the behaviour of individuals and not the club.

“It is time for us to look forward to the future and strive for success on and off the field of play.”