Lucknow: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned West Indies' experienced wicketkeeper batsman Devon Thomas from all forms of cricket for 5 years. Three cricket boards had accused him of being involved in corruption and now a unit of ICC, while investigating, has found that all these allegations are true and he has been banned for 5 years. Thomas was accused of being involved in match fixing in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Caribbean Premier League (CPL). After this all these allegations have been proved true.
Thomas was accused of being involved in corruption in a total of 7 cases and now this player has accepted all the charges. However, he has refused to give further information but ICC has taken major action and banned him from all types of cricket. The 34-year-old player will now not be able to play any cricket for the next 5 years and the International Cricket Council has called it a bold step.
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Alex Marshall, general manager of the ICC's Integrity Unit, said in his statement that “Thomas knew that it was against the rules due to playing international cricket, domestic cricket and franchise cricket but despite this he took part in mixing. He knew very well what his responsibilities were against corruption but even then he could not fulfill it and got involved in fixing in three different leagues.”
He further said, “The decisions we have taken are appropriate and will send a strong message to the corrupt. This will let people know what kind of action is taken against those who commit such acts in our game.”
Actually, he was involved in fixing during the match in Lanka Premier League in the year 2021 and this is a big allegation against him. Apart from this, he was also involved in match fixing during a match of Abu Dhabi T-10 League 2021, while in 2021 itself, he was accused of being involved in corruption in a match of CPL. After this, while investigating the matter, ICC had imposed an unlimited ban on him on 23 May 2023 but now it has been reduced to 5 years.
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