Perhaps surprisingly, Condon points to English domestic cricket in the 1970s as the birthplace of match-fixing in cricket. If a match was of vital importance to one team and not to the other, then an accommodation would be reached between the teams as to who would win. The presence of overseas players led to the spread of such practises. Although there are only unsubstantiated reports of betting playing a role at this stage, there is, Condon argues, evidence to suggest that this practise grew dramatically in subsequent years, particularly due to the increased amount of televised one-day cricket. It is also alleged that a murder in South Africa was a contract killing as a result of a dispute between rival corruptors from other countries.
International cricket is at a critical point of development.
The report outlines the work of the Unit over the next 12 months. However Condon does sound some positive notes for the future. Condon also reaffirms his commitment to the work of the ACU until the end of the 2003 World Cup. This is a weak area in the report. In many ways this looks much like a spy within the dressing room, but if that's what it takes, one hopes the boards will support the recommendation.