Woolmer had a plan to fix match-fixing

LAHORE: Bob Woolmer had made a set of recommendations to former Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahryar Khan to strengthen the PCB’s hand against match-fixing. The suggestions were not implemented.

A highly placed PCB official said Woolmer was of the view that the captain is the key player for bookies as he makes decisions that influence the outcome of a game. Hence, he stressed that only a person of impeccable character should be made skipper.

The coach urged the PCB to stop players from associating with known bookies or people who were convicted of match-fixing and similar offences. He said the board should adopt a zero-tolerance approach in the matter.

Woolmer was of the view that the ICC code of conduct should be tightened and additional provisions introduced.

He even suggested that Pakistani cricketers declare their assets at the start of their careers and submit details every year.

The PCB, he said, should audit these figures with those obtained from independent inquiries with the players’ employers, including counties, leagues, and banks.

The coach recommended that all players be forbidden from using cell phones during a match and all calls be routed through the team manager.

Probably the most important proposal he made was to increase the remunerations of the cricketers and offer incentives for winning.