Spot-fixing 'sullying' cricket, says Flower

England coach Andy Flower said on Wednesday the ongoing spot fixing row involving Pakistan had led to the "sullying of cricket’s name and reputation".

But he urged fans to come and support the side in England’s upcoming five one-day internationals against the scandal-hit tourists, who appear worn down by the controversy engulfing them and a schedule that saw them play seven Tests in six weeks, including two against Australia.

Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif have all been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after allegedly conspiring to deliberately bowl no-balls during last month’s fourth Test against England at Lord’s.

Flower added the controversy may have been a factor in the poor attendance here on Tuesday where fewer than 6,000 spectators saw World Twenty20 champions England wrap up a 2-0 series win in that format against Pakistan, who were never in the hunt after being bowled out for their record T20 low of 89.

But the former Zimbabwe batsman also implicitly criticised his paymasters at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for scheduling both Twenty20 matches in Cardiff in the space of a few days, with England winning Sunday’s opener in the Welsh capital by five wickets.

“It was a strange atmosphere,” Flower told reporters here on Wednesday as he reflected on Tuesday’s match, which England won with six overs to spare.

“That must be the smallest crowd I’ve ever been involved in with an England team in Britain.

“It’s a real pity. Perhaps the weather didn’t help on Tuesday but no-one wants our national side to play in front of such a small crowd.

“To have two Twenty20 games at the same venue at this stage of the season might have been an error. It’s something the ECB might want to look at.

“None of us want to see small crowds but we all hope people turn up in great numbers for the last five matches.”

Flower said spectators may also have been put off by the allegations surrounding Pakistan.

“There’s inevitably a bit of a gloomy atmosphere at the moment and with the sullying of cricket’s name and reputation that’s understandable.

“It’s a pity because we are playing some outstanding cricket. We have won two games comfortably and for the skills of the bowlers in particular to be overshadowed so completely is sad. It’s fair to say it was the same in the Test series (which England won 3-1) too.”

England were understood to have strong objections to playing against Butt, Aamer and Asif in the one-dayers before the trio were suspended by the ICC.

But, with Pakistan’s controversial loss to Australia in the Sydney Test in January back in the spotlight and further allegations emerging, the crisis is refusing to die down.

However, Flower said: “The ECB took a very strong stance with the Pakistan board and the ICC over the allegations surrounding the first three players, so I trust the ECB’s judgment on any further stance they might think is necessary.

“That is unless there are a specific set of circumstances where the (England) players feel it is necessary to make their own stance or decision.

“I think the ECB are best placed to make that sort of decision.”

As for his team, who face Pakistan in the first of five one-dayers in Durham on Friday, Flower said: “I’m sure the players have some strong views on the issues the game is facing.

“But they have gone about their work and put those issues to the back of their minds, and that’s a tribute to them.”