Strauss harbours no worries over future of the game despite allegations

Strauss's optimistic appraisal of a worrying situation preceded this afternoon's news that Wahab Riaz is to become the fourth Pakistani player to be interviewed by police in connection with the corruption claims which have rocked cricket.

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer have all been charged and suspended by the International Cricket Council under the world governing body's anti-corruption code.

Those three have also already been questioned, and released without charge, by police investigating alleged corruption – via a plot to bowl no-balls to order – first reported by the News of the World during the Lord's Test.

Test and one-day international captain Strauss, returning to the England fold after sitting out their two NatWest International Twenty20 wins over Pakistan in Cardiff, acknowledges the evident damage the spot-fixing crisis has done to his sport.

But he said: "I don't worry for the future of the game of cricket.

"It has survived many controversies over the years and will continue to do so.

"I do recognise the importance of ironing out any of these allegations, because ultimately they are a cancer that can spread and devalue the game.

"I think the ICC are doing a very good job in making sure these problems are minimised – and as players, we have a responsibility to help them out in that."

Strauss noted poor attendances, particularly for Tuesday's second match at the SWALEC Stadium, and understands why some people may not want to watch any sport if they cannot trust the evidence of their own eyes.

He added nonetheless: "Despite whatever allegations have been out there, I still maintain that cricket generally is a very clean sport and that two teams are playing to beat the other 100 per cent.

"If I can allay fears, I think there is no chance in my mind that these games coming up will not be played in that spirit.

"That's why these allegations are very hurtful to the game – and that's why we need to move on and make sure the game is very clean from now on."

Strauss accepts, however, that he does have to assume goodwill from his fellow players.

"I can be as sure as possible – but you can never be 100 per cent sure of anything," he said.

"I think every cricketer in the world has received a short, sharp slap in the face to where this game is at the moment – and where it needs to be going in the future."

Strauss also found himself responding to questions emanating from a newspaper report yesterday which suggested England's ICC World Twenty20 Super Eights stage victory over Pakistan four months ago may be another match which comes under the microscope of the ICC's anti-corruption unit (ACSU).

Asked whether the gloss could be taken off England's achievement in the Caribbean, or other successes, he said: "If things are proved, then it clearly does to a certain extent.

"(You may wonder) whether games that you thought you played really well in were actually strictly as you saw them.

"These allegations hurt the game of cricket. Every one of them that comes to light hurts the game.

"Cricket is strong enough to overcome them – but while they are out there, it is a good opportunity to make sure this doesn't happen again. As players, all we can do is recognise our responsibility and do everything we can to paint the game in a positive light and help people reconnect with the game."

Kevin Pietersen's bid to play domestic cricket for Durban-based side KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins, meanwhile, has received the green light from Cricket South Africa.

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday night that the 30-year-old right-hander, dropped for the current limited-overs series against Pakistan due to poor form, had asked for permission to join the franchise for two four-day matches next month.

CSA's Michael Owen-Smith said the move had been "approved" with Pietersen now returning to join the province he made his domestic debut for over a decade ago.