LONDON, Jan 18: Cricket chiefs on Saturday opened up a new front in the war on match-fixing - by teaming up with an online betting firm.

The ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) signed a memorandum of understanding with betting exchange company Betfair.

The ICC said that the aim of the agreement is to help protect the integrity of international cricket which has been dogged by allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting in recent years.

Under the agreement, the ACSU will be able to request information which they hope will identify individuals behind activity which has given rise to strong suspicion that corruption may have taken place.

"Over recent years cricket has come a long way in tackling the evils of corruption but it can never relax and become complacent," said ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed. "This agreement is part of our on-going commitment to the eradication of conduct of a corrupt nature prejudicial to the interests of the game."-AFP