New Delhi: The International Cricket Council CEO Dave Richardson today said that the governing body is aware of who the match fixers are who travel across the world trying to influence players, umpires and groundsmen.
He, however, assured that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure corruption did not affect the world cup.
Cricket has been in news for all wrong reasons in recent years because of match-fixing allegations, be it at domestic or international level.
ICC's Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) had been working with local authorities since a long time to ensure it did not influence the Feb. 14-March 29 event in New Zealand and Australia. Richardson added that security around teams and officials would make it very hard for them to be approached by fixers.
"I think the preparations the anti-corruption unit have put into this tournament, far exceed previous tournaments," Richardson said in a press conference in Christchurch.
"I think we are in the best place ever in terms of fixing," the former South Africa wicketkeeper added. "We have made it very difficult for them to approach players."
ACSU's head Ronnie Flanagan had said last week that fans would be able to watch the tournament "with confidence" as it would be free of corruption.
The ICC had also noticed a change in attitude from players over the last 12 months, Richardson added, with even innocuous contact being reported to the anti-corruption unit.
"The players have been tremendous over the last couple of years, indeed the last 12 months, in acknowledging their responsibility in fighting the sickness in the game," he had said.
"They realise the threat does exist. The fight is against those corrupt guys who travel the world rather than the players," he had further added.
