'I couldn't believe what was happening' (From Bucks Free Press)

'I couldn't believe what was happening'

3:40pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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A GERRARDS Cross batsman didn’t have to read about the England versus Pakistan match-fixing scandal on Sunday morning – he was there at Lord’s when the story broke.

As part of the MCC, Ian Cockbain was 12th man and nominated fielder for England for the fourth Test, spending the entire match with the England squad and getting out on the pitch for about ten overs.

He said: “The players were all shocked, they couldn’t believe what was happening.

“I only found out on Sunday morning and couldn’t believe it.”

Pakistan captain Salman Butt plus bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif have all been questioned by police following claims of spot fixing, and they face further investigation by the International Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The story first broke in the national media on Sunday morning, and Cockbain says that although the England squad tried to go about their business as normal it was a different story for their opponents.

He said: “Everything was the same as normal for us, but the Pakistanis only turned up an hour before play started and didn’t even come out for any warm ups.

“I think they just wanted to get the match finished.”

Cockbain has ‘played’ for England before. He fielded for 20 overs at Lord’s in The Ashes and also got on against Bangladesh earlier this summer.

He said: “I only found out just before the Test. It’s an absolutely fantastic experience.”