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David
Graveney has backed Alec Stewart to emerge with his reputation intact
after the ICC have completed their inquiry into the allegations made
against him.
Stewart's whiter-than-white image has been severely tarnished over the
last few days since it emerged that bookmaker Mukesh Gupta claims to have
paid him £5,000 in return for information about the pitch, weather and
team composition during England's 1992-93 tour of India and Sri Lanka.
He launched a renewed denial of the claims, which were made in the report
of India's Criminal Bureau of Investigation inquiry into corruption in
cricket, but looked drained by the pressure of the accusations during a
press conference on Thursday.
The former England captain now plans to "co-operate fully" with
the inquiry being launched by former Scotland Yard chief Sir Paul Condon
in his role as the head of the International Cricket Council's
anti-corruption unit.
But chairman of selectors Graveney does not need the outcome of the ICC
inquiry to convince himself of Stewart's innocence, and is predicting he
will bounce back strongly in the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan.
"In my eyes this hasn't damaged my view of him at all," stressed
Graveney. "He's a shining example of what is good in English cricket
in the way he conducts himself and if he categorically denies it, that's
good enough for me.
"It's a difficult time for him and his family and I have every
sympathy for them, but I also know what great strength of character Alec
Stewart has. He's a very strong bloke and I fully understand his position.
"Regrettably, no matter what happens, Sir Paul Condon and his
department will look at the reports and there will obviously be a period
of time before he sifts through all the information so the situation is
not going to disappear in a couple of days."
Graveney believes the setbacks Stewart has already overcome in his career,
like losing his England place four years ago and being sacked as captain
in 1999, will stand him in good stead as he awaits the ICC findings.
"I don't think the public think anything less of him but at the same
time, I'm sure Alec and his family would like to have the cloud removed as
quickly as possible at the stage," conceded Graveney.
"He's had some knockbacks with injuries and losing the England
captaincy, but he's a strong guy. It will be a tough time for him but it's
important everybody around him gives him support." |
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