Cricket needs to be clean and that starts at the very top

We're always up against it in world cricket. We don't need to cheat to lose. We can do that fighting all the way. We need all our Kiwi rep players to be giving their 110 per cent for us to be in any sort of hunt against the worlds best. I don't mind us losing, so long as we are giving our honest 110.

I think Johnno is exaggerating his case for comic effect, because there are some people who actually think that Aussie = clean, clear, honest, hardworking, blue-eyed, tanned-skinned, fair-dinkum, honest-as-the-day-is-long etc. Guess what? Non-Aussies have male friends ("mates"), are loyal ("staunch"), like to see the little man win sometimes ("support the underdog"), and who have trouble seeing why Australian batsmen don't walk when they know they have been caught -- that's not how a man of good breeding would behave, is it?

Yes, but isn't the problem at the end of the day the "fans"? Basically it would seem that in all sports most so-called fans would rather endless repetition of the same boring boutique fixtures rather than genuine variety. Ashes in cricket, state of origin in RL, Bledisloe in RN, big name derbies in AFL etc, no one seems to care about seeing games gore and expand or see a variety of touring teams. Until that mindset of big ticket stupidity changes, nothing will change. You can't expect a sports body to schedule matches few but the connoisseurs are interested in

Not even bleach?

I do not think there is anything clean in the world.

I definitely agree with your take with those cheats who lie & lie to the public face. All it does is hurt their reputation even further & draws out the inevitable process.

Pretty sure that Lou Vincent himself said the punishment handed down to him was fair, maybe even lenient, as he said he counts himself lucky he's not facing jail time & he can be free from the burden of his past. Has anyone seen the tell all interview of Vincent? Very insightful into the world of cricket match fixing. I think it's featured on Cricinfo but you could probably also find the full interview on the radio sport New Zealand website. In fact, Vincent originally turned down a fixing approach but was soon after courted by the man who he considered his "hero". He didn't name a name but it's fairly obvious to everyone that it's Chris Cairns who was in the same team as Vincent at the time it happened in the Indian Rebel League.

You're kidding me right? Match fixing is widespread in cricket & it's even been said by someone in the know (lou Vincent maybe) that big stars (without them naming names) from all major cricketing nations were involved in match fixing. I have no doubt that there will have been Australians involved in match fixing, big international stars or less well known first class cricketers? who knows?

Absolutely with you Stellenbosched , the new power structure makes the old one look positively fair and transparent-shame on Cricket Australia to be up to their necks in it too -but this is the trend all over the world in all kinds of things -its all about money and power these days

i've seen people who have had family members murdered accept the murderer's apology.

Of course Lou Vincent should be banned for life as should anybody who cheats. While I have no sympathy for him I can't help having a small measure of respect for his admissions and his statements taking full responsibility for his actions. It sickens me how most people who err or get caught with their hand in the cookie jar will deny and deflect. "...It wasn't me...I didn't do it...he did it first...yeah, ok, I did do it, but not as much as them..." He is no role model as a cricketer but he sets the right tone for others for standing up and copping his fair whack. He rightfully pointed out that he'll wear his shame forever.

This is a good comment despite the popular belief to the contrary. Lou's stupidity is boundless in this incident but I think that's where it ends. The guy's future appears to be on the back of a hammer; he's not exactly living the life of Riley. His life is cricket. And it's gone. I don't condone his actions for a second but the punishment, meant to send a message, is harsh. Perhaps limiting his involvement to coaching so he can give something back while making a meagre income for his family would be more appropriate. Cairns should do real time without segregation. Not only is his conduct appalling, vile even, but his influence on someone like Vincent would have been immense. I feel for his Dad Lance, a cult hero over here. He will already know . But as much as I despise what has transpired, even Cairns is just a drop in a bucket, another scapegoat.

It's a great premise Alec. But as you have alluded to the BCCI, the real ICC, is riddled with corruption. They will scapegoat a few of the least bright, lesser profile cricketers, preferrably white, like Vincent and their natural enemy Pakistan will always be targetted too. However, when they turn the light up on themselves, expect cleansheets to come up. Much in the same way the Police Complaints Authority, run by Police for Police, will quash any real offence by Police, no matter the harm to the individual or the Law. Meanwhile, watch their coffers grow. I fear that spot-fixing, more than but also including match-fixing, is systemic in our sport, particularly the shorter formats. Cairns' head will be on a platter soon too but these are just patsy votes, scapegoats to hide the real crime happenimng right under our noses.

Johnno, You really believe that Warnie took "fluid tablets" from his Mum in 2003. At least he got a ban I suppose. You really believe that Warne and Waugh (Afghanistan - best nick-name in cricket) discussed weather with that Indian Bookmaker in 1995? What was that Bookie's name? Johnny or Johnno, something like that? Drugs in cycling and NRL and you don't think your cricketers are susceptible . Please...

LOL And you think the BCCI are not doing the same in cricket? As things stand the BCCI bring 70% of the income and end up with 22% of the profit. Its not just SANZAR, we only have to look to europe and the Heikekkien Cup and the power struggles there where the French and English dont want to pay for Scotland Wales Ireland. It all boils down to money.

Common courtesy? What nonsense. Perhaps not a great parallel, but if someone was to destroy your business, or your pastime, or defame you etc etc, and apologize only when they got caught and to make themselves feel better, would you be OK? The damage lingers a lot longer than this idiot's involvement in the game.

Totally agree Alec. How many times do you see them repent before they get get caught? If you give them a free option to have a crack and the get off scot free if they get done, the game is in trouble. This joker like many others had a chance to lead a life many of us dream about. He wasn't good enough so took the selfish option of taking some bucks at the risk of ruining everything. Should be locked up, or forced to live with Othanis Jacket.

"It should be hoped that Vincent, as a person, can get himself back on track. Coming clean is a start, but don’t ever applaud him for confessing." surely the next step after a confession and an appology is those that have been wronged accepting the appology? I wouldn't call that applauding him - merely common courtesy and aknowledgment that the 'start' has been made to getting back on track

Ozinsa. So just let everyone who queue jumps straight in? Australia admits many immigrants to Australia. We need to make sure it's an Australia people want to migrate to. Johnny did that!

John Howard is "a caring person"? Whoa. Ask ten or twenty thousand people locked up for having the temerity to sail to our shores without visas. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.