The Durham and England bowler ­Brydon Carse has been banned for three months, with a further 13 months suspended, after accepting charges of breaching cricket’s anti-corruption rules by placing 303 bets on a variety of cricket matches over a period of more than two years.

None of Carse’s bets, made between 2017 and 2019, were placed on games in which he was participating, but the sport’s betting integrity rules prohibit professional players, coaches and support staff from betting on any cricket played anywhere in the world. In a statement the Cricket Regulator, which was established last December to monitor compliance with the game’s regulations, said Carse had cooperated with its investigation and “demonstrated significant remorse for his actions”.

“Whilst these bets were several years ago, that is no excuse and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Carse said. “I would like to thank the ECB, Durham and the Professional Cricketers’ Association for their support during this difficult time for me. I will be working hard in the next 12 weeks to ensure that I repay that support on the field when I am able to return to playing.”

Carse has played 14 ODIs and three T20s for England, with his most recent full international appearance coming against West Indies in Antigua last December, and was part of the Lions tour of India in January and February. He agreed a two-year central contract with the England & Wales Cricket Board last year, and was one of the bowlers being considered to replace the retiring Jimmy Anderson in the Test side.

Having been suspended from all cricket until 28 August he is now unlikely to make his debut in the format this summer: the three-game series against West Indies takes place entirely during his ban but a second series, against Sri Lanka, starts the day after it is lifted. Carse has played only two games, and taken only two wickets, for Durham this season, both in the County Championship.

In a statement the ECB said: “We take these matters extremely seriously and do not condone any form of anti-corruption breach in cricket. We support the Cricket Regulator’s decision and their consideration of the mitigating factors in Brydon’s case. He has co-operated and shown remorse for his actions.

“We are satisfied that Brydon has shown growth in the five years since this breach and has demonstrated a greater understanding of his responsibilities. We are hopeful that his case can serve as an educational example for other cricketers.”

Source: theguardian.com