By Daniel Jackson.
The Mervyn Westfield cricketing scam takes another turn as an ex Pakistani international cricketer is named in the case. In court, Danish Kaneria was mentioned as having been involved in the spot betting scam.
The whole scandal initially started whenEssexplayer Tony Palladino approached Mervyn Westfield in September 2009 with a big wad of cash with a means to convincing him to assist in the betting scam. The roots of the idea were allegedly set up by Danish Kaneria which involved him and other friends supposedly pressuringWestfieldinto the idea during a dinner that Kaneria had arranged. It is believed thatWestfieldwas specifically targeted by Kaneria and others he had involved because he was young (21 at the time) and on the brink of the squad. WithWestfieldstill not a regular fixture in the team it appeared to make him more likely to be persuaded and with Kaneria involved it would make it harder for him to turn down the team’s well respected international star.
The court case also reported rumours of the scandal floating around the Essex County Cricket Club at the time but no allegations were made with perhaps a blind eye being turned by those involved with the club.
Danish Kaneria was arrested but without being charged. Mervyn Westfield has already pleaded guilty and is due to serve four months in jail.
