Coming from a current player, it was a jolt. What would the fans be thinking? Questions are already pouring out, and they are not restricted to Samuels. Why did West Indies choose to field every time they won the
toss? Isn't it better to have runs on the board on flat pitches than chase 300? How can Chanderpaul score 149 off 133 balls in one match and 67 off 125 in the next? How come Samuels, who bowled 10 overs in the first match and was the most economical bowler in a run-fest, didn't bowl a single over on a slow and low pitch in the second match?

Of course, all of this can be explained in cricket terms. West Indies have been happy chasers for years and it is routine for Brian Lara to insert the opposition; Chanderpaul has been a schizophrenic batsman all his life - he has a 69-ball hundred, but once scored 136 runs off 510 balls; the West Indian medium pacers were doing quite well on an up-and-down pitch and Samuels wasn't needed. But once the seeds of doubt have been planted, we can safely bet that questions will continue to be raised. Every time a player's name is linked to a bookie, the whole game comes under a shadow.

That's why the administrators - the ICC and the West Indian Cricket Board - must act swiftly. Innuendo and speculation will hurt cricket. The last match-fixing scandal shook the faith of the believers. It took a while for the cricket fan to be able to watch a game of cricket for what it was.

Cricket is a game of unpredictable twists and turns. It's a part of the game that batsmen will be run out, catches will be dropped, players will have off days and, every now and then, a captain will make a silly mistake. If dark thoughts invade the mind each time such a thing happens we might as well stop watching the game.

We will never know the full story of the previous match-fixing scandal. Some of those found guilty have been rehabilitated, but it is more than likely many more got away. Some national boards acted half-heartedly, some shoved it under the carpet. Cricket simply can't afford do so again. To start with,if the matter isn't investigated and dealt with immediately, the World Cup will be played under a cloud.

Given the background and the strict ICC norms, it is incredible for an international player to be discussing team composition and bowling strategy on the phone a day before the match

If Samuels is telling the truth, that he knew Mukesh Kochar but didn't know he was a bookie, he can be accused of being unbelievably naive. Given the background and the strict ICC norms, it is incredible for an international player to be discussing team composition and bowling strategy on the phone a day before the match. That the subcontinent is the hub of illegal betting is hardly a secret and it is a failure of common sense from the player, and negligence on the part of the team.

And the Indian police will be doing no one any favours if they choose to leak out the selective information. For more than a day, India was agog with speculation over the involvement of an "Indian allrounder who batted in the lower order". Then Robin Singh's name emerged. And now, looking at the transcripts, it seems to be a reference to a "Robinson". Match-fixers, or those who dally with bookmakers, have no place in cricket. But neither should players be held guilty by suspicion.

It's time to act. There is no space for bargaining and politicking. To do so would be to play with faith and trifle with the future of cricket.

My first thoughts were that this could not be done by 1 man alone. Samuels is only a small pawn and the king maker is someone else.

Totally on a tangent - was the WI board supporting Sharad Pawar for the ICC chief post..? Will it do so now..? Maybe not so much of a tangent.

Now it seems that Robin Singh was unjustly blamed. But you should have seen how he was hounded by the press at the airport. In any case, he has nothing to do with the current cricket team, so how could our journalists think he was involved?

It is weird that Samuels says that he knows who Mukesh is, but he did not know that he is a bookie. He says he knows Mukesh for 6 years.. come on. Does he think we are stupid. Match fixing has been going on uninterrupted for many years. The writer was right when he said that some nation board chose to ignore it and some punishment was meted to the players. But what about the main player who has escaped the clutches of the board. They are still involved in cricket in some capacity. Only Hansie Cronje was brave enough to admit it and he paid the price. If he had been silent perhaps he might still have been playing (of course he would not have died). As for Samuels - he is certainly involved in match fixing.

Having read the transcript of the conversation, I cannot see how the Indian police could reach the conclusion they have. The evidence seems less than flimsy. Is it because the West Indies is hosting the World Cup, there is a play to unsettle the team? We should not rush to judgement. If Marlon is indeed guilty, then he should pay. I have serous doubts about his guilt however.

stupid move by samuels...i am a west indian and from my view,he looks guilty.Even if he's not,now everyone will have their eyes on him for the world cup.Every time he gets a low score,match fixing will be on everyone's mind...

What makes these things ugly is that is happened from the place where wold cup is going to be hosted. Will people trust the integrity of the game played there? How can he deny the things he revealed to Mukesh? He should not have told those things to his wife at mid night on phone, if he has any !!!. He would be making us fools by saying that he did not know Mukesh was a bookie and the other one is making all of us stupid by saying that he is like a father to him.

An unfortunate fellow, Robin Singh had to suffer. He had been and has been the most sincere of cricketers ever to play for India. Those who do not have good ears should not go to transcribe. What is said as Robinson is interpreted as Robin Singh? How could you do that? A person’s integrity should never be questioned like this, he has every right to sue the channels that jostled him at the air port. He can sue them for questioning his integrity and spoiling it by babbling rubbish.

Cricket is such an unfair sport to start with. Conditions can change so drastically during a game that some matches come down to whoever wins the toss, wins the match. So if the game of cricket is so unfair, and the better team often looses on the day, why can't the players divulge a bit of information? Often players carreers are ended by a few dubious decisions so there is no job security. They need to make money while they can and if some-one pays them $10 000 to tell them who is in the team and in what order they will bat, so what?

If you want to cure a disease you kill the germ that causes it. It seems to always be an Indian bookmaker involved. So maybe some time should be spent sorting that problem out before another team is infected. Not to worry though. After West Indies win the world cup this story won't even be mentioned again.

This is much ado about nothing. Two individuals having an innocuous discussion on the phone is being made out to be sensational. Nothing that appears in the trans-script suggests anything wrong or amiss. Are we all not guilty of exceeding limits of accusing or pointing fingers without a sound basis? We live in times of media overkill, which unfortunately does not seem to behave responsibly. Each player in the media is trying to outdo the other and all this at a huge price. What are we passing on to our children? A legacy of hypothecations, assumptions, trial by media, irresponsible reporting and clouded judgements ? We learnt that the journalist fraternity acts as the watchdog for the society. But what is a watchdog without a conscience of its own? A rabid dog which bites people without any rhyme or reason is put to sleep. What will happen to all the enthusiasm shown by journalists covering this story when it is discovered that this case was much ado about nothing? Think !

It's hard to determine the what information would constitute match fixing. if a player was to divulge to an individual what order team players would bat and when he'd come in to bowl, is that evidence enough to say match fixing? I doubt that very much. However, on the contrary, where a bookie may know the line up and team strategy, then that probably would better spell that the bookie would more than likely have a better idea of who'd have won the match that way, since he has stated that every one gambles, now that is more of a solid point to wrong Samuel, since he'd have given out information to a known bookie for obvious reasons, and I believe that in that instance he would have done something wrong, but I doubt there was any match fixing involved. It's like tipping off clients about stocks that you know will do well, like insider trading, but not necessarily a situation where you'd do anything to make the stock more attractive, but giving relevant information that will enhance the speculators chances. Thats my view on the situation as a West Indian and as a cricket lover, but I don't think that this form of information would give enough grounds to put a dampen on cricket. The spirit will live on, and to me there was no match fixing involve, other than information given was for obvous gambling purposes.

Well as a West Indian it will be nice to see some major changes in the team. I heard Lara is backing Samuels,makes you wonder why.

Notice the part where Kochar said "As a first match, I want you to play well confident and don't hurry up, don't give the catches, play well, consolidate your position as well as possible if even if you can want couple of balls, it doesn't matter, don¹t get run out.. don't get excited, have a strong position*"the very said match Samuels did the exact said things. If this is an accurate transcript then Kochar shouldnt just be a friend he should be given the job as West Indies coach. It seems he is able to get the players to do what no coach has ever been able to.

In the end nothing will be done unless ICC enforces its position . The fact remains that the selectors and the board are spineless and that WIPA and Lara will go down defending one of their own even though he is a cheater (we all wonder who else is). West Indian people and journalists will defend him to the end, their argument being that "other nations did it so its ok for him and the others to do it too"

As a people we could deal with losing all the time (which we do) so long as the guys tried. But they do not. They are seen in the nightclubs and drinking in the stands after humiliating defeats. Yet they are continued to be selected and defended.

If they have no pride in their country or their history they should never be given the opportunity to represent these people. We can continue losing with new players who do. The same goes for the board, the selectors and the captain.

Marlon Samuels is Obviousley a biot naive whatever his conversation represents with the bookie it does not look good. However having said that I cant see anything in the transcript which would suggest he has said anything That would influence the result of a game nor really help a bookie. Someone Important in West Indian cricket circles a gibbs or a lloyd should sit him down and have stern words for him if he wishes to continue playing for his country. His behaviour has been erratic at best throughout his career he needs more Maturity and to grow up or he will throw his career away.

From his mom's account, it appears that he was just talking confidentially to a friend at the end of the day. And the media and fans can blow it completely out of proportion. If that were the case, Samuels is innocent.

from the transcript of the conversation i dont think that we can ascertain whether or not marlon is guilty .......therefore in my view he remains not guilty ...until proven otherwise

I don't understand what gives the Indian police the right to wiretap phone conversations. Isn't that illegal in itself. The whole affair is a shame really.
--L

Silly move by Samuels, where did he meet this guy to be talking about stuff about his team to him something dont smell good

Poor judgement on behalf of Samuels to even speak to this fellow. But a review of the transcript of the taped discussion hasn't revealed any damaging evidence.

Whether it is a conspiracy against the West Indies or not Smauels has erred. He should not have disclosed those information to Mukesh, but then again, everyone has a close friend who they tell confidential things to. No one could tell me that Brian Lara has never disclosed to his close friends the composition of his team before a match or Ricy Ponting telling someone the possible players in a game. I am however a bit taken aback with Samuels intial reaction to this scandal. He should have once and for all denied knowing the man and his mother has now come out publicly to say that Samuels knew the bookie for years and they are close friends. Close friends with a gambler? Watch it boy Samuels, if you escape this one then I will be the fist to tell you stay far from Mukesh. You have great talent be careful youngter.

what a load of rubbish, yet another attempt by those behind the scenes to discredit a young player who has started to blossom after all his earlier failures. ....who will be next.... when the WI win the world cup it will become a bigger issue i guess

Once again it is very sad to see such a report. Is it or is it not,one wonders a fair game.Please establish the fact that Mukesh is in fact a bookie.Hope authorites can clarify bit better and Nagpur police should not have leaked the info to media since its outside their juriduction except to offer evidence to appropriate authority ie BCCI, and let them handle the matter with ICC.Let the cricket lovers all over the world enjoy the game.

So who is that Indian cricketer, who is currently not in the team that talked to Sambit. Hmmm..who would that be??? Anyway, I think Samuels is a scapegoat. Nothing more to say....draw your conclusions.

Does a recent test match between SA and India come to anyone's mind where Tendulkar and Dravid played an inexplicable ultra defensive couple of hours that eventually resulted in India losing both the match and the series.....hmmmm, what to make of that now. Tendulkar can still bat - he just made a 70 odd ball century - as does Dravid, as evidenced by his recent form in the WI series. So that couple of hours was.......hmmm....

These are nothing but false allegations by the Indians to meticulately destroy a great potential from West Indies. We all know Marlon Samuels is the star of the next decade, and since there is no one of that class hailing from India to match his style, grace and talent - they are trying their best to put an end to the great career of a great cricketer (who destroyed India in 2001-2002 with his batting in an ODI and Indian Cricket Followers surely have nitemares of that Innings again and again).

in this article you say there is no room for bargaining and politics in cricket... may i ask how asif and shoaib got away with double the evidence against them than is against samuels at this point in time

How people love jumping to conclusion. As a Jamaican I can see in the transcript where things are misread.
For starters talking to robinson sounds to me like Marlon could have said taking to the boiling sun which led him to say about running up and down as oppose to "batting up and down". after which came slow down which is what you would do in the boiling sun. As for where he mention tail he did correct the guy by saying Jermaine Taylor because he may have called him taylor which translated into tail and one down could mean he might bowl if only 1 wicket is down.
people listen to how we Jamaicans chat before you all start translate.. play the tape to us or shut up

I think this simple matter is being blown out of proportion. So what if Samuels spoke to someone about the game? This man is well known to his family; and what what I read from the taped transcript, there is no incriminating evidence in the conversation. Why don't they leave the young man alone and go about their busines of policing.
The Windies will shock the world after this World Cup Tournament. India will not get past the first round. Trinidadian from Malaysia.

I hate how the Indian media has performed here! They would speculate and spit on people based on mere speculations again, and don't care about the implications on the careers of young players.
While there is the need for the truth to be uncovered; there is no requirement to behave like evening tabloids who would write anything that sells and makes an evening for the armchair critic. Their pro cyclic behavior often has a negative impact on the situation and seems like they lack a conscience.

In most of the cases the media is just on the lookout for sensational news. There is no accountability or responsibility on the part of media , even if what they report is proved totally wrong later. The media doesn't even have the slightest consideration that the career of a young cricketer is at stake. The media wants to play the role of judge and jury and decide even the quantum of punishment. If Shane Warne had been banned for life cricket would have lost its best bowler for ever. So lets please stop being cynical at the drop of a hat. Let the police, ICC and WICB investigate the matter thoroughly.Criminal cases in India take decades to decide. But when it comes to cricket , we want to judge the same day. Also suddenly there is suddenly there is news of police arresting bookies and punters everywhere. If they had the information why didn't they do so earlier?

It is interesting to note that these are being reported by Indian Police only. All other countries and their police seems to be not bothered by it.
In the past also on the Hansie Kroniey (forgive my spelling ) issue, whole of South Africa was behind him including their ministers and they were looking for opology from Indian Police while finally, Hansie accepted it to be true.
All other countries have taken an easy way out - except for India and Pakistan ( may be due to personnel score setting issue ) but Australia etc have tried to ignore the same accepting lame excuses and giving trivial punishments.

I appreciate Indian Police, who recorded the matter in time and brought it out in open after considering all aspects.

Well even if he is not guilty of fixing the match then even he should be heavily fined for leaking out the confidential details to someone who is not part of the team or country even !
I am surprised that it is happened to someone who belongs to the host of the coming world cup 2007, obviously no one cant expect such a stupid act.
ICC must investigate properly to this matter.

I was shocked to read the story, i was agitated with the fact that they are destroying the beautiful game of cricket. And i found it realllllly difficuilt to convince my kids last evening tha players were got out by playing bad strokes and not by fixing the match. May be Samuels has not done anything ( I pray he has not done anything wrong to cricket) but what indian Govt. and very Pro-Active police has done to arrest those bookies and punish them? will someone investigate why the police sensationlize whole this issue? Why its all the time touring sides on the receiving end? Does it not make any sense, that bookies can very easily contact Indian players directly or indirectly with much ease? I am afraid one day foreign teams will stop playing in India

Since a player other tha Indian is involved, all the Indian Media etc are very much active to disgrace poor Samuel. Had an Indian player has been involved not a single word would have been leaked and the whole matter would been censored.

This article appears to have been designed to sow seeds of doubt in the minds of everyone as to Samuel's innocence as well as that of the West Indies team in general and more specifically the captain. Samuels and the West Indies Team are innocent until proven otherwise. Team West Indies, continue your preparations for the World Cup. Do not be distracted by those with ulterior motives.

what i think is even if one knows the details about the batting and bowling line up of a team it is difficult to win without hard work and proper planning.and this is what i think that india played in almost each and every match to win the game.samuels factor could never have done anything in changing the tide of the game..

in response to the accusation againt samuels i would have to say that the evidence is flimsy, how on earth can he get punished when asif and shoaib are allowed to play despite there being hard scientific evidence against them... secondly in response to B. Bachan; have you been watching west indies cricke recently sir? if you have you must have seen the great effort and commitment put forth in tournaments such as the DLF cup and Champions Trophy... this effort was made by those very same players you talk about who enjoy the nightlife after a humiliating defeat

Innocent until proven guilty is always the way to go in a case. I am however suprised that Samuels knows Mukesh - for so long - and does not know what he does! There is a need to get this thing out and solved! Why was Samuels discussing anything with Mukesh? Did he not think that Mukesh may have discussed such details with the opposition? Or was seeking to set up bets?
The whole thing wreaks of either pure stupidity on Samuels' part (indicating why he makes dumb decisions at varying times in games) or a screwed-up matching fixing deal. Not because I am a West Indian I will seek to view this as "water under the bridge".
There is some serious answering to be done and Samuels needs to come clean and say why the dickens he was discussing the team, the team plan or anything of the sort with Mukesh.
I want for it to go away, but the more I think about it, the more it seems something is wrong.
With all my fears and anxieties, I must hold out that Samuels is innocent until proven guilty.

I find it rather strange that all the while Marlon with his great potential was struggling for his form no one care a rats ass about him because West Indies was perceived as a push over. Now he appears to be coming back into the kind of batsman he displyed earlier on, the Indian police of all people are claiming to have him involved in betting.
Shame on the Indian police and more shame on all those who are so willing to destroy another rising West Indian class batsman

Naive is the perfect adjective to describe Marlon Samuels. The discussion of team selection on the eve of cricket matches is a no- no after the much heraldad fiasco with Hansie Croje and Herschelle Gibbs. Samuels has dug a hole in which he cannot escape this time. For a professional cricketer to be so in the dark as to the livlihood of his 'friend' Mukesh Kochar is beyond comprehension. Cricketers like Marlon Samuels Chris Gayle and Wavel Hinds are said to be the most difficult to get an interview or a statement from the local print media when they are in Jamaica. The misplacement of the arrogance syndrome masked with the 'cool' syndrome is what maybe will finally york his career. We can only hope that the somke will not yield fire but that is like wishing that pigs fly. The 'Samuels Affair' is at best a connundrum . If money was passed or not, we have a situation whereby a player cannot feign complete ignirance or innocence and he will have to be dealt with as decisively as possible. As a Jamaican, it sad to be reeading about these allegations or revelations but it was just not cricket. We have a saying in Jamaica which goes " long rope, short ketch" (Longer the rope, easier caught) and it seems as if Samuels has been caught off a skyer.