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Aussies steer clear of match-fixing row

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said Saturday they had no official comment to make of allegations of match-fixing involving South African captain Hansie Cronje and three other players.

An ACB spokesman said the matter did not involve Australian cricket in any way.

He said there would be no comment from captain Steve Waugh or any other players including champion spinner Shane Warne and Mark Waugh, who last year both admitted taking money from an Indian bookmaker to supply information on weather and pitch conditions.

Waugh and Warne, along with the rest of the squad, fly out to South Africa on Saturday night for a one day series.

ACB chief executive Malcolm Speed later confirmed that the controversy would not affect Australia's tour. "There is no risk to the South African tour and we are looking forward to playing against them next week," Speed said.

"From a cricket perspective we are confident that the ICC and United Cricket Board of South Africa will deal with this matter effectively and expeditously."

The ACB spokesman said no one in Australia had any detailed knowledge of the latest allegations to rock world cricket.

No one had heard any transcripts or read any of the evidence and in any case the allegations did not involve Australia, he added.

Overnight New Delhi police registered charges against Cronje and other members of his team for match fixing during last month's one-day series with India. The charges relate to the series won 3-2 by India and also involve Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom.

Cronje and his players have strenuously denied the allegations. In an official statement issued by the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), Cronje said: "I have been informed by the UCB of the statements that have been made in the media and I am stunned. The allegations are completely without substance."