Waugh has no case to answer

Australian batsman, Mark Waugh, has no case to answer following a detailed investigation by the ACB's Anti-corruption Investigator, Mr Greg Melick, into allegations made by Indian bookmaker, M.K. Gupta, that Mr Waugh had received money in return for team information.

The Australian Cricket Board today released Mr Melick's report, which involved more than 60 interviews in four countries. It concludes that there is no basis on which to recommend any charges against Mr Waugh and reaffirms his right to the presumption of innocence.

The Melick report confirms that Mr Gupta, despite making the allegations to the Indian Criminal Bureau of Investigation, was not prepared to have his allegations appropriately tested to determine if they had any substance.

"One of the fundamental principles that underpins this process is that Mark Waugh is presumed innocent," said Mr Melick.

"It is therefore essential that if anyone is going to make serious allegations against another person they must be prepared to have these claims properly tested before they can be believed.

"This investigation has established that, despite a number of approaches to Mr Gupta by cricket investigators, he remains uncooperative and has not provided any evidence to support his allegations.

"Furthermore, despite an extensive search, there is no other credible evidence to corroborate his claims.

"Mark has consistently denied any wrong doing and I can find no basis on which to recommend that any charge be laid."

ACB Chief Executive, James Sutherland, said that the Board had received the report and accepted his recommendation that on the basis of the report Mr Waugh has no case to answer.

"The ACB has consistently stated that it would fully investigate any credible allegation against any Australian player and I thank Mr Melick for the work he has done in completing this investigation," said Mr Sutherland.

"As Mr Melick has indicated, Mark Waugh is entitled to the presumption of innocence. This report has produced no credible evidence for the ACB to alter this view."

In accepting the report, Mr Sutherland also acknowledged Mr Waugh's capacity to perform on field during this time.

"This investigation and the public scrutiny that has gone with it could have become a serious distraction for Mark," said Mr Sutherland.

"He has answered the questions asked of him and continued to make runs for Australia."