Lou Vincent's lifetime ban from cricket relaxed

Former New Zealand batter Lou Vincent's lifetime ban from any cricketing activities has now been relaxed. Vincent was handed the ban by the ICC and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2014 after he admitted to match-fixing in 2014. The ban applied to matches sanctioned by the ECB, the ICC or any other national cricket federation

He was believed to have breached 18 anti-corruption rules in matches played in 2008 and 2011.

"New Zealand Cricket has joined with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association in welcoming a relaxation of the life ban imposed on former international Lou Vincent," a release from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said.  

"In a ruling just announced, the England & Wales Cricket Board’s disciplinary arm has agreed to revise the penalties imposed on Vincent in 2014 so that he can participate and be involved in cricket matches at, or below domestic level. 

"The changes will take immediate effect."

Gerard Elias, on behalf of the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC), had announced the reversal of Vincent's ban earlier today (December 8), allowing him to participate in cricketing activities. Vincent was awarded 11 lifetime bans in 2014 for his involvement in fixing various matches in England.

"This decision was reached following careful consideration of the specific circumstances of Mr Vincent’s case and the supporting evidence and representations from a number of major cricket stakeholders, including the International Cricket Council, New Zealand Cricket and the England and Wales Cricket Board and a host of others," a release from ECB, said.

Vincent has represented the Blackcaps in 23 Tests, 103 ODIs and nine T20Is between 2001 and 2007.