It was restricted to a brief telephone conversation with the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board Lord MacLaurin.

In his article in a newspaper, Stewart said that he was asked just three questions - Were the allegations in the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation's match-rigging report true?

Did he know the bookmaker Mukesh Gupta? And had he ever accepted money from anyone in relation to match-fixing or providing information?

"I gave three nos," Stewart explained, "and said I was willing to help in any way that I was able.

It was not a long conversation."

The entire conversation lasted just about ten minutes, and the bulk of the time was spent discussing a strategy for tackling the media on this delicate issue. Stewart added: "Once I had satisfied them, MacLaurin said words to the effect of: 'Right, that's fine, you have cooperated.

You can stay on the tour.' I don't think there was ever any question of my going home."

It is thus clear that what was supposed to have been a thorough investigation by ECB was actually no more than a fleeting ten-minute talk on the phone.