Saturday, March 24, 2007

Why the Cricket World Cup should be called off

This morning's Daily Telegraph claims that Bob Woolmer was poisoned then strangled. The motive for his killing looks increasingly as if it's connected to Woolmer's desire to expose match-fixing AND the Telegraph reports that Woolmer was "told by a trusted friend of suspicious movements in betting markets in Bombay a month before last Saturday's match against Ireland".

That throws ALL of the matches in the world cup into doubt. It's possible that other players and managers were or will be intimidated to do the bidding of those who have large bets on cricket. How could any player or manager doubt the resolve of these people to carry out any threats they might make?

The integrity of this tournament is now in doubt and the sport's authorities should call it off now. At the very least they should postpone all games until the authorities can more clearly explain the motive and how they intend to prevent any other players/coaches from involvement - voluntary or otherwise - with match-fixing.