LONDON: England and Durham paceman Brydon Carse will serve a three-month suspension over historical betting on matches following an anti-corruption investigation by the Cricket Regulator, it was announced Friday.

The South African-born 28-year-old, who was called into England’s 50-over World Cup squad six months ago, was charged with placing 303 bets on various cricket matches between 2017 and 2019, although he did not bet on matches in which he participated.

As a result, the Durham quick still contravened integrity rules meaning no “professional participant” (player, coach or other support staff) is permitted to bet on any cricket anywhere in the world.

Having accepted the charges and cooperated with the cricket authorities, Carse, who signed an England central contract in October, was given a 16-month ban, 13 of which were suspended for two years. He is banned until Aug. 28.

As long as Carse, a veteran of 17 white-ball internationals for England, does not commit any further offences that contravene anti-corruption rules in the next two years he will not face any more sanctions.

“Whilst these bets were several years ago, that is no excuse and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Carse said in a statement on Durham’s website.

“I would like to thank the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Durham Cricket and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) for their support during this difficult time for me.”

Carse, who has played 14 ODIs and three T20 internationals for England, joined Durham in 2016. He is allowed to train and will be available for the final four matches of Durham’s county championship season.

“I will be working hard in the next 12 weeks to ensure that I repay that support on the field when I am able to return to playing,” he added.

An ECB spokesperson said: “We take these matters extremely seriously and do not condone any form of anti-corruption breach in cricket.

“We support the Cricket Regulator’s decision and their consideration of the mitigating factors in Brydon’s case. He has co-operated and shown remorse for his actions. We are satisfied that Brydon has shown growth in the five years since this breach and has demonstrated a greater understanding of his responsibilities. We are hopeful that his case can serve as an educational example for other cricketers.”

Carse’s most recent appearance for England came during a One-day International against the West Indies in Antigua in December last year.

His ban effectively rules him out of a Test debut this season, with the last of England’s six matches in the format in their home summer, against Sri Lanka at The Oval starting on September 6, commencing just over a week after Carson’s suspension ends.

“I would encourage any professional participant who has bet on cricket to come forward and not wait to be discovered,” said Dave Lewis, Interim Director of the Cricket Regulator, in a statement.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2024