Playing to Fix
Martin Chandler |Published: 2024
Author: Radley, Paul
Publisher: Pitch
Rating: 3.5 stars
As the title suggests Paul Radley’s first book is about corruption in cricket, a subject that no lover of the game wants to think too much about but which, thankfully, those charged with running the game do not neglect.
It may be that I am naive in thinking that the ICC do a good job, but in recent years it does seem that a combination of educating young cricketers and increased intelligence coupled with better detection methods have been the reason why there have been no major scandals.
But perhaps I am oversimplifying, as there is another consideration. The reality is that players in international cricket and the major franchise league can now make very large amounts of money, so there is no reason for them to take the huge risks that come with fixing. Below that level things are different, and the story that Paul Radley reminds me of is a salutary reminder of that.
So it is time to dredge back through your memories to 2019, and the qualifying tournament for the T20 World Cup due to be played the following year, but eventually put back to 2021 because of the pandemic. The UAE skipper was all-rounder Mohammad Naveed, one of the best players amongst the Associate nations. On the eve of the qualifying tournament, which the UAE were expected to progress from, he and two teammates were suspended, and shortly after another two left the UAE squad. All were later banned.
Radley is a sportswriter who has lived and worked in the UAE for a number of years, where also of course is now based the ICC. As a follower of the game in the UAE Radley was perfectly positioned to know and have access to those on both sides of this particular story and, most interestingly, to the players who were at the heart of it.
The narrative of Playing to Fix has much to commend it. It is helped by the fact that most readers will have no more than a passing recollection of the saga itself, which means that the wide ranging nature of Radley’s account is important. Events on the field are described in some detail, but in many ways more interesting is the time spent looking at the backgrounds of the players involved, as well as the history of UAE cricket and the game’s place in the culture of the UAE.
I had not expected the UAE cricketers to be highly paid individuals, but at the same time just how modest the rewards that the game brought them was a surprise to me and it is not difficult to see why they were tempted, albeit to this day Naveed will admit to nothing more than not reporting an approach. All those who were suspended have had much to reflect on and their thoughts now are illuminating.
The UAE scandal and the way it unfolded and was subsequently dealt with is one of those aspects of cricket history which has not, before now, been recorded as fully as it should have been and the thoroughness of this account is a credit to Radley. As indicated this is his first book, and I sincerely hope that it is not his last. Kudos also to Pitch for publishing a book which at first blush might not seem one to be likely to sell too many copies. The story Playing to Fix relates is however an important one, and once again Pitch’s decision to support a book like this is one to be welcomed.
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