ICC Imposes 5-Year Ban on Cricketer Devon Thomas for Match-Fixing
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a 5-year cricket ban on West Indies’ Devon Thomas. He was accused of fixing in Sri Lanka, UAE, and the West Indies cricket leagues. He accepted the allegations, leading to ICC penalizing him.
Acceptance of guilt resulted in a reduction of the penalty to 18 months. ICC stated that the 34-year-old Thomas was accused by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) of corruption. Thomas accepted the charges, resulting in a reduced sentence of 18 months. His ban started from May 23, 2023, and he will not be able to play international and domestic cricket until May 22, 2028.
Thomas faced the following allegations:
- SLC Code, Article 2.1.1: Attempted fixing in the Lanka Premier League 2021.
- SLC Code, Article 2.4.4: Failure to report information about individuals involved in corruption during the Lanka Premier League 2021.
- SLC Code, Article 2.4.6: Providing false information to the anti-corruption officer when involved in fixing.
- SLC Code, Article 2.4.7: Obstruction of the anti-corruption officer’s investigation by tampering with documents and information.
- ECB Code, Article 2.4.4: Failure to provide information about corruption in the Abu Dhabi T10 League to anti-corruption officers.
- CPL Code, Article 2.4.4: Failure to provide information about corruption in the Caribbean Premier League 2021 to anti-corruption officers.
- CPL Code, Article 2.4.2: Failure to cooperate with the CPL Anti-Corruption Unit regarding matters related to corruption, including meetings, interviews, and disclosures.
The manager of ICC said: “Thomas’ punishment will serve as an example for others.”
ICC’s General Manager, Alex Marshall, stated, “Thomas, who has played both international and domestic cricket, has undergone extensive anti-corruption training multiple times. Unfortunately, he has also encouraged corruption in the franchise leagues of three countries. His punishment will serve as an example for other players.”
Thomas made his debut for the West Indies in all three formats. As a wicketkeeper, he has played one Test, 21 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 12 T20 matches. He has scored more than 300 runs and taken four wickets. He also played in the 2011 ODI World Cup.
