Former Essex cricketer Mervyn Westfield was in court Thursday to answer charges he deliberately played poorly as part of a betting swindle. The 22-year-old seamer appeared at the City of London Magistrates court to hear charges brought by England's England's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of conspiracy to defraud. It is an offense that, under the Criminal Justice Act 1987, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. Westfield is alleged to have dishonestly agreed to bowl his first over in a 40-over match between Durham and Essex on September 5, 2009 in such a way as to allow a certain number of runs to be scored, which would be helpful to a punter involved in ‘spot-betting' where money can be gambled on specific incidents in a match. Westfield conceded 60 runs in seven overs during the match, with four wides and two no-balls. It was broadcast live by Sky around the world. A second player, Essex and Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, 29, was questioned over the claims but was told he will face no further action earlier this month. Last week Essex confirmed Westfield had been released from his contract with the eastern county but its statement insisted: “This decision was made purely on cricketing grounds and was not influenced in any way by the ongoing inquiry.”
