West Indies batter has been suspended
The International Cricket Council has banned West Indies batsman Devon Thomas for five years for match-fixing.
Devon Thomas, a West Indies batter, has been banned for five years with an 18-month suspension after admitting to seven charges, including match-fixing, in franchise-based leagues in Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and the West Indies, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday.
The term will be retroactive to May 23 of last year, when the West Indies batter was temporarily suspended. The 34-year-old last played for the West Indies in August 2022 and will be eligible to play again in November 2026.
Thomas stated that he agreed to rig matches in the Lanka Premier League because he believed it was essential for his selection, and that he accepted money from someone who approached him about match-fixing in the Caribbean Premier League, but denied carrying out the fix.
He was also solicited to manipulate matches in Abu Dhabi T10 but declined, failing to disclose the occurrence to the designated anti-corruption official, Thomas informed the ICC’s anti-corruption unit (ACU).
“This ban is appropriate and should send a clear message to players and corruptors that attempts to corrupt our sport will be dealt with harshly,” Alex Marshall, general manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit, said in a statement.
To avoid serving the suspended 18 months, Thomas must offer witness statements and testimony in an ongoing inquiry and not commit subsequent violations, according to the ACU’s official ruling.
