"I was prepared to risk £50 on the off-chance that I might get £25,000. The thing that irks me is that it was
by no means the first time players had bet on the other team but I was the first to be crucified for it. That I got cold feet about throwing big money away and only made it a £10 wager is still a matter of regret to me."
Marsh has been much more tight-lipped about the bet. But, as head coach of Australia's
Cricket Academy (and just appointed to England's fledgling version), he has had a hard time avoiding it. After lecturing his charges on the dangers of match-fixing, he told the press: "I have no conscience about the '81 bet. I had a five quid bet. I mean, big deal.
Most Australians have done that."