Police called in over damaging allegations against Aussie cricketer
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley says the organisation has contacted Victoria Police over damaging allegations surrounding a former player's off-field conduct.
The Sunday Age reported on Sunday on an alleged phone call between former Cricket Australia head of integrity Sean Carroll and a "high-class escort", believed to have taken place "several years ago".
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In a recording of the phone call, the woman claimed she had information that could destroy a "well-known" but unidentified player's career.
The woman allegedly told Carroll about the player dancing naked on a balcony, openly using cocaine and cavorting with numerous women.
Addressing the reports on Sunday, Hockley said Cricket Australia had reported the leak to authorities.
"I saw the article this morning. Those reports are unsubstantiated," Hockey told reporters.
"They are historical. Any stealing of confidential information is a crime.
"We have reported it and are getting assistance from Vic Police.
"It's really important people are able to contact our integrity line in full confidence that it is going to be kept secure.
"Certainly our processes, we review them regularly, to ensure they are absolutely best practice."
The Sunday Age said the recording was received through an encrypted email service from an anonymous address.
The source claimed to be a former Cricket Australia staffer "who wanted to expose flaws in the integrity unit".
Second scandal to hit Cricket Australia in recent months
It is the second bombshell leak to come out about Cricket Australia in as many months.
Tim Paine resigned as Test captain on the eve of the Ashes, and later stepped away from all forms of cricket, after it was revealed he was investigated for a sexting incident with a Cricket Tasmania colleague in 2017.
The wicketkeeper was cleared by the CA board of any breach of its code of conduct.
He was replaced as captain by Pat Cummins and will almost certainly not represent Australia again.
Meanwhile, Hockley is adamant Australia's first Test tour to Pakistan in 24 years will go ahead in March despite fresh Covid-19 concerns about the Omicron strain.
Series between the two countries have only been played in Australia, UAE and England since 1998 because of security issues in Pakistan.
"We just had a (CA management) team go over to Pakistan," Hockley said.
"We are working closely with the PCB and all the authorities.
"It's a really complex endeavour, we are very committed to touring.
"It is absolutely our intention to tour as long as it is safe to do so."
Australia have not played a Test match overseas since the 2019 Ashes finale at The Oval but are due to tour India and Sri Lanka next year as well as the scheduled trip to Pakistan.
with AAP
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