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Alastair Cook insists cricket’s match-fixers should pay ultimate price and be banned for life

ALASTAIR COOK prepares to face shamed Pakistan pace ace Mohammad Amir next month calling for match fixers to be banned for life.

The England captain has no problem playing against Amir, 24, but wants the maximum punishment for new offenders.

Alastair Cook set out his stall on match fixing at a press conference: England captain says all cheats should be banned for life
Alastair Cook has no problem facing Mohammad Amir but he set out his stall on match fixing at a press conference and  said all cheats should be banned for life
Mohammad Amir will ironically return to the Test scene exactly where he left it...at Lords when he faces England for Pakistan
Mohammad Amir will ironically return to the Test scene exactly where he left it…at Lord’s when he faces England for Pakistan in the first match of the series

He was talking on the eve of today’s Investec Third Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s before  England then look ahead to facing  Pakistan, also at Lord’s, on July 14.

Amir got hit with a five-year ban from the ICC and this week received a UK visa even though he spent three months in a young offenders’ institute.

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Cook said: “It’s kind of ironic that Amir’s first Test match will be here back at Lord’s.

“He’s served his time so I’m happy for him to come back. He’s been punished for what he did and rightly so.

“My only thing is that, if you get caught match-fixing, you should be banned for life. The punishment should be that hard because we must protect the integrity of the game.”

Ex-England batsman James Taylor, 26,  tweeted a picture of himself after an op to fit a defibrillator as treatment continues on the heart condition which ended his career.

ENGLAND: Cook (capt), Hales, Compton, Root, Vince, Bairstow (wkt), Moeen, Woakes, Broad, Finn, Anderson.

FIVE THINGS ENGLAND MUST GET RIGHT BEFORE PAKISTAN SERIES

 

Nick Compton

The Middlesex No.3 has failed to make a half-century in any match this year and, unless he scores runs on his home ground, his England career is surely over.

 

James Vince

Vince will be given a decent run in the team but must show he is capable of big scores rather than flashy forties. He has also dropped at least three catches in the first two Tests.

 

Steven Finn

The 6ft 8ins fast bowler is his own biggest critic and knows his rhythm has been awry this summer and his pace down. A five-for at Lord’s would sent his confidence soaring.

Nick Compton's England career is very much in the balance
Nick Compton’s England career is in the balance unless he scores heavily at Lord’s
Steven Finn needs a decent performance on his home ground
Steven Finn needs a decent performance on his home ground. A five-for, maybe!

 

Moeen Ali

Mo recaptured his batting form with a century in the Second Test but he needs to show he can be the No.1 spinner – especially with tours to Bangladesh and India this winter.

 

Joe Root

Root is England’s best batsman. But his habit of getting out when set – he has nine Test centuries and 20 other scores above fifty – hints at a lack of concentration and ruthlessness.

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