Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent, who has become the first sportsman from his country to face a life ban for cheating, revealed that he felt like a cheat.
Vincent finally spoke out about the scandal, which brought shame to the world of cricket and issued a comprehensive statement on issues and accusations that have been surrounding the batsman for months and the punishment that would be handed out by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
According to Stuff.co.nz, Vincent, who played 23 Tests and more than 100 ODIs for New Zealand, said that he had been handed a life ban by the ECB for being involved in the fixing of five games and faced 26 charges in total.
Vincent was also was recently banned for three years by Bangladesh cricket for not reporting an approach while playing for the Dhaka Gladiators.
It means that Vincent, who spoke before about wanting to be a coach and suffers from depression, would not be allowed to be involved in cricket professionally or even enter a ground while a match is being played.
He said in the statement he had abused his position as a professional sportsman on a number of occasions by choosing to accept money through fixing.
Vincent said that he has lived with this dark secret for many years, but just months ago he reached the point where he decided that he had to come forward and tell the truth.
Vincent said that he has shamed his country, he has shamed his sport, he has shamed those who are close to him and he does not feel proud of that.
Vincent said that he lost faith in himself and the game and added that he abused the game he loves.
