I am a cheat,” New Zealand batsman lou Vincent said today while admitting that he had indulged in fixing several matches, including one involving Kolkata Knight Riders, after which he was banned from cricket for life.
Vincent, who played 23 Test matches and 102 ODIs for New Zealand, said he had accepted money for fixing matches in England as also in India-driven Champions league T20 (ClT20) for several years as also the now-defunct Indian Cricket league.
The Kolkata Knight Riders Champions league match in which Vincent was involved in spot-fixing took place on October 15, 2012 at Cape Town in which he was playing for Auckland Aces.
“Champions league Twenty20 (ClT20) today announced that former Auckland Aces batsman lou Vincent has been banned for life from participating in the tournament after pleading guilty to seven charges relating to spot fixing,” ClT20 said in a statement.
It was found that Vincent attempted to corrupt two matches involving the Auckland Aces during the October 2012 ClT20 played in South Africa by entering into agreements with a bookmaker for financial gains. “Six charges related to Vincent’s conduct in the 10 October 2012 match between the Aces and Hampshire at Centurion and 15 October 2012 match between the Aces and Kolkata Knight Riders at Cape Town,” the statement said.
“He faced a further charge from his conduct during the 2011 ClT20, where he failed to report an approach from a bookmaker,” it said.
The England and Wales cricket Board also banned Vincent for life after he admitted breaching the ECB’s anti-corruption regulations. “Mr Vincent pleaded guilty to 18 breaches of the regulations in total. Four breaches related to a Twenty20 match between lancashire and Durham in June 2008. The remaining 14 charges related to two fixtures played at Hove in August 2011, namely a Sussex v lancashire Twenty20 match and a Sussex v Kent CB40 match,” it added.
Vincent said he could muster the courage to speak the truth only after being inspired by his wife.
“The time has come for me now to face them like a man and accept the consequences - whatever they may be. I could not live with my wrongdoings any longer and after meeting my future wife Susie, after learning what unconditional love really is, I felt strong enough to tell her what I’d done and she has helped me take the painful steps in telling my parents, my wider family and then the authorities,” he said.
Vincent, in his statement, said admitting his crime has helped him regain some lost respect.
“I am proud of the ones I love, especially my immediate family and friends. Their strength, support and forgiveness has enabled me to address some of the deepest, most uncomfortable issues one can face. I can finally look my children in the eyes and tell them that honesty is the best policy - even if it feels like the hardest thing to do at times. I now believe in myself as a person again and I don’t wake up every morning hating myself,” he added.
“Today is the day I offer my deepest, deepest apologies to the public and the cricketing world, to the loyal fans, to the dedicated coaches, staff, players past and present.”
Vincent thanked the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit for supporting him while he admitted to his wrongdoings. “I apologise to and thank the ACSU for the help and support that is out there for all players, that has helped me a great deal, Chris Morris and his legal team and all the associations that have handled the sensitive situation with professionalism and respect,” he said. Vincent said he has been battling depression.
“The people who know me know I’m vulnerable, but they also know that I am not stupid. And I know what is right and what is wrong. I do suffer from depression - that is absolutely no excuse for all I’ve done wrong,” he said.
“I used to think mistakes were made by bad people, but now I even know that good people can make the worst of mistakes. My actions I will regret for the rest of my life.
“For sport to prosper, it is up to players to police the game, because they are the ones that will ultimately lose out and allow themselves to be used as pawns to make money,” he added.