Fixing probe close to completion: ICC

Wellington: An inquiry into corruption that has rocked world cricket is entering its final stages, officials said Saturday, as former New Zealand international Chris Cairns was to fly to London to be interviewed by police.

Cairns has vehemently denied any involvement in corruption but believes he is the person alleged to be “Player X”, the match-fixing ringleader mentioned by former team-mates Lou Vincent and Brendon McCullum.

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said he believed investigators were “not far away” from interviewing Cairns and the inquiry would be wrapped up in a matter of weeks. “We are at the end of the investigation. It is close to being finalised and I’m sure Chris Cairns will be spoken to and given an opportunity to put his side of the story,” Richardson told Radio Sport.

Cairns’ lawyer confirmed to the New Zealand Herald that he was heading to England to be interviewed.