Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

SAMUELS

WEST INDIES all-rounder Marlon Samuels has denied reports of disclosing team information to an illegal bookmaker ahead of his team's opening one-day game against India in Nagpur last month.

Samuels was quoted as saying: "I have not done anything wrong."

According to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) code of conduct, anyone who knowingly has any contact with a bookie during a series could be found in breach of the code.

According to some reports, Samuels knew Mukesh Kochar for six years, but was unaware he was a bookie.

Tapes of Samuels

On Wednesday, Indian police claimed to have tapes of Samuels revealing team information, but added there was no evidence of money being involved. They said they had passed the information on to the ICC's anti-corruption unit and the Indian Cricket Board.

Some of the information allegedly passed on by Samuels to Kochar included the fact that the Jamaican all-rounder would come on as first-change bowler in the first match on January 21 (which he did); who would play in the match; and, pitch information.

India police yesterday released more details of the alleged taped conversation and also said they may question Samuels about his links with the bookmaker.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), in a statement released late on Wednesday, said it was adopting a wait-and-see policy and was "not going to act on rumour or gossip".

Tony Deyal, the WICB spokesman, said in the release that the board had not received any communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the ICC. That was repeated yesterday when The Gleaner spoke to coach Bennett King.

Asked if the saga would affect Samuels' chances of making the West Indies squad for the coming World Cup, King said: "Unless the selectors are informed otherwise by the (WICB), we are going to name our best squad."

King said the final 15-man squad was all but complete and would be presented to the ICC by the February 13 deadline.