Strauss wants life ban for players involved in match fixing

London, Aug 30 : England skipper Andrew Strauss wants life ban for any player found guilty of match-fixing, after allegations surfaced that Pakistani players were involved in ‘spot fixing’ during the Lord’s Test.

The Pakistan team is in the midst of a betting scam, where fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif are alleged to have bowled pre-arranged no-balls in the Lord’s Test, which England won by an innings and 225 runs on Sunday.

Skipper Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Asif have also been implicated in the scam, known as spot fixing, The Sun reports.

England captain Strauss said: “If someone is found categorically guilty, then the only way for me is for that person not to be able to play international cricket again. Cricket is in the headlines not just for the wrong reasons but for the worst of reasons.

“There have been many rumours in the past and, hopefully, this time we are in a situation where things can be proved one way or another. If that leads to a cleaner sport, it can only be a good thing.”

Strauss admitted there was a subdued atmosphere as England took the final six Pakistan wickets yesterday to complete victory by an innings and 225 runs.

He said: “The atmosphere in our team was that we had a responsibility to finish off the job.”

Police raided the Pakistan team hotel on Saturday night and spent more than two hours searching the rooms of Amir, Butt and Asif.