ICC defends 'under-fire' anti-corruption unit despite 'victim of restructuring' report

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly defended the work of its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), despite announcing a review into how the sport cracks down on fixing.

This comes after a British report said the ACSU, which does not have the powers of a law-enforcement agency, would be the first 'victim' of the restructuring of the ICC following a shake-up of the global governing body led by the 'Big Three'- India, Australia and England.

According to Sport24, ICC chief executive David Richards said that the suggestion that the ACSU might be failing in its duty to protect the game is 'entirely misplaced and inaccurate', and added to draw any conclusions on the outcome of the review will be premature and detrimental to the working of such an important unit.

The former South Africa wicketkeeper also said that the ACSU remains a world leader in the fight against corruption in sport, and has done some outstanding work since its inception in 2000.

However, Richards reflected that a review was timely given the 'risk of corruption' changing rapidly in recent years due to the increasing number of domestic Twenty20 cricket tournaments such as the Indian Premier League (IPL)

The report mentioned that the ACSU, reported to cost 5.5 million dollars per year to run, might be replaced by investigation boards in individual countries as these are better able to liaise with national police forces.