Giddins faces ECB hearing over gambling allegations

Ed Giddins: 'Hasn't the ECB more pressing things to deal with?' © Getty Images

Ed Giddins might have thought that he'd had his last run-in with cricketing authority when he retired last season, but according to a report in today's News of the World he is wrong.

The newspaper says that Giddins has been summoned to appear before England & Wales Cricket Board officials to answer charges that he was involved in gambling on a National League match in 2002. If found guilty he faces a five-year ban and a fine.

Giddins told the newspaper that he has no involvement in cricket, adding that he thought that "the ECB has more pressing things to deal with".

News of an ECB investigation into the match between Surrey and Northamptonshire first broke in February. It has been alleged that although Giddins did not play in the game, an unnamed punter stood to win £20,000 after betting on a Surrey defeat. They lost by 102 runs. Bookmakers have never paid out on the wager.

All county players are required to sign an agreement not to bet on any match.