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He was Commissioner when the Met was accused of institutional racism

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(He was Commissioner when the Met was accused of institutional racism.) But he declares that he satisfied his critics when the ICC met in Nairobi last month. Asked whether the all-English composition of his unit might erode credibility, Condon freely admitted that it doesn't help. But a multi-national force would have made a slower start and led to a dramatic increase in costs. (The initial budget is flexible: between £750,000 and £1m in year one.) The unit's first job is to inform the data base Every Test player is required to sign a declaration. It contains four questions, each relating to an aspect of corruption in cricket. It seems naïve, on the face of it, to expect cricketers to incriminate themselves "Yes, it is, to some extent," Condon admits "But it is make-up-their-mind time for them. If they are caught lying, they can expect even more severe consequences." He hopes the questionnaire will reveal untapped sources of information: "People with knowledge who had nowhere to go."The unit will also act as a clearing house for information.

Early next month, Greg Melick, Australia's chief investigator, will be in London to meet people from the Indian CBI, the South African King Commission and other investigators, including the Met, whose inquiries into Chris Lewis' claims will be completed before the end of the year."We now have a critical mass big enough to make a difference," says Condon. But it will take a lot longer to discover whether there is real equality of will to expose and punish cricketers who succumb to the blandishments of the bookies.Condon's own motives are straightforward. He says that, as you get older, you are harder to shock, but he confesses that he has been shocked and disappointed that corruption should have infiltrated the game that gave the phrase "It's not cricket" to the language. Condon likes cricket, and he wants cricketers to be free of suspicion: "They are sick and tired of being second-guessed," he says. As for the spectators, they want to be sure that they are watching the real thing.Different jurisdictions and divided loyalties will test Condon's patience and his ingenuity, but only a fool would not wish him luck.. Few sportsmen have added to the gaiety of nations more than Sarfraz Nawaz. He was an accomplished fast bowler for Pakistan, who once took nine wickets in a Test innings against Australia, and is often credited with being the inventor of reverse swing.

It may have been a happy accident, it may have been the result of years of laborious experiments, but had he been able to patent it he would have had no need to work again Luckily for us, Sarfraz entered public life. Few sportsmen have added to the gaiety of nations more than Sarfraz Nawaz. He was an accomplished fast bowler for Pakistan, who once took nine wickets in a Test innings against Australia, and is often credited with being the inventor of reverse swing. It may have been a happy accident, it may have been the result of years of laborious experiments, but had he been able to patent it he would have had no need to work again. Luckily for us, Sarfraz entered public life. Here, he has merely continued on the well-worn path he trod as a player, whether for his country, Lahore, Punjab University, Punjab, Railways, United Bank or Northamptonshire, where he spent 13 uncommonly smooth years.

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