Vaughan has 'gut feeling' corruption still in the game

Michael Vaughan has a "gut feeling" that corruption is still rife in international cricket, following speculation that Bob Woolmer's murder may have been linked to a forthcoming book that was to lift the lid on the match-fixing scandal.

"If I'm honest then yes, I do think it probably does go on," said Vaughan. "I've never ever experienced it with anyone in my team or any players which I've played with, and I've never played against anyone I thought was doing it.

"It's not something that I've studied but my gut feeling is that there is still some form of corruption in the game. It's very hard to clear the whole world of cricket of this, which is a huge statement to make, but it's my gut feeling on it."

Vaughan's first meaningful contribution as an England cricketer came in the infamous Test against South Africa at Centurion in 1999-2000, when he scored 69 to help secure a two-wicket win. The double-innings forfeiture that had enabled the rain-affected game to reach a conclusion, however, only came about after the South African captain, Hansie Cronje, had been bribed by a bookmaker.

"I played in the Centurion Test, but I was just a young lad playing a game of cricket and never felt anything untoward was happening," said Vaughan. "I've never been approached about it and hopefully to God I never will be because we don't want to see any of that in the game.

"It's all speculation and it's very hard to comment on any of these issues, but personally there have never been any incidents, nor have I been involved in any conversations regarding the fixing of a game of cricket."

Vaughan added that, amid all the rumours and conspiracy theories, the thoughts of his team remained with Woolmer's widow, Gill, and two sons, Dale and Russell. "They are the people I feel sorry for," he said. "Over the last five days speculation has spread around the Caribbean and his family have had to suffer and they are who we are thinking of at this minute.

"Someone's life has been lost and someone's family have to suffer because someone has been murdered and I hope that is something that never happens again."