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Bookies laid 'Honey Trap' during ICL in 2008, reveals Vincent

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Press Trust of India Wellington
Last Updated : Jul 02 2014 | 7:19 PM IST
Banned for life for match-fixing, disgraced New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent revealed how an "Indian bookie" posing as a sports equipment sponsor laid 'honey Trap' for him during the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) back in 2008.
In interviews to New Zealand radip channels 'Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport', Vincent revealed how he was taken aback to find that his "hero" was involved in fixing and how he was unable to refuse him from taking part in the 'big fix'.
"I looked at ICL as a great way to get away from New Zealand, take the family and live overseas. And it was good money. Throughout our NZ career, we got proper education regarding bookie approaches. Here I go to ICL and I was trying to get comfortable, trying to get excited playing with new team," Vincent said.
"Then the phone rings. Happens all the time when you are in India. On other end of the phone was an Indian guy, who wanted me to use his (sports) gear. His batting equipment and I said "yeah I will be interested.
Vincent then revealed how different he felt as he walked into the hotel room of this so-called bat manufacturer from the ones he had visited on earlier tours.
"It has happened before on other tours as well, where you walk into the room and see all the equipment spread across and you pick up bits and pieces. You then negotiate a deal and come out saying 'thank you'.
"But here, I walk into the room and see there was nothing there. A young gentleman was sitting and a lady whom I thought at that point was his wife at the end of the bed," the former right-hander said.
So she wasn't his wife, the RJ questioned, to which Vincent replied, "No she wasn't. She was the 'Honey Trap'. It took me about half an hour to realize that. As I was speaking to him, I asked him where's the gear and he said that it was at the Conceirge (hotel lobby).
"Then, when I tried to go to the bathroom and he put his foot on the door and said that that she (lady in question) is gift to you from our company. That's when the penny drops. This looks a bit dodgy. I declined," Vincent stated.

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First Published: Jul 02 2014 | 7:19 PM IST

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