T20 World Cup 2024: West Indies star slapped with 5-year ban in a crushing blow for CWI

West Indies cricketer Devon Thomas has been banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching seven counts of anti-corruption codes. He was found guilty of breaching the code of conduct of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). 

Devon Thomas was suspended for anti-corruption codes in May last year and his period of ineligibility has been kept from the time he was provisionally suspended. The Cricketer played a vital role for the West Indies and played from 2009 to 2022. 

Devon Thomas breached three codes of conduct of Sri Lanka Cricket, England and Wales Cricket Board, and Caribbean Premier League related to fixing and failing and refusing to disclose details of an approach or invitations received to engage to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official. 

Apart from this, Devon Thomas was also found tampering with or destroying useful documents and information. Overall, he has been found guilty of breaching seven conducts of Anti-Corruption. 

Devon Thomas was guilty of breaching the following codes (as mentioned by ICC):  

Article 2.1.1 of the SLC Code - contriving or being party to an agreement to fix or attempt to fix, contrive or influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspects of matches in the Lanka Premier League 2021. 

Article 2.4.4 of the SLC Code – failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct in the Lanka Premier League 2021. 

Article 2.4.6 of the SLC Code - failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by failing to provide accurately and completely any information and/or documentation requested by the Designated Anti-Corruption Official. 

Article 2.4.7 of the SLC Code – obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation into Corrupt Conduct, including (without limitation) concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct. 

Article 2.4.4 of the ECB Code – failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct at the Abu Dhabi T10 2021. 

Article 2.4.4 of the CPL Code – failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct in relation to the CPL 2021. 

Article 2.4.2 of the CPL Code – failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or benefit (a) that he knew or should have known was made in order to procure a breach of the CPL Code, or (b) could have brought the player or the game of cricket into disrepute.

This ban is apt and should send a strong message to players - ICC General Manager on Devon Thomas' ban 

ICC's General Manager Alex Marshall also talked about Devon Thomas' ban, stating that the West Indies cricketer was part of numerous anti-corruption sessions across the three Leagues. He stated that his ban should send a strong message to players about how they will be treated if they commit the offense. He stated: 

"Having played both international and professional domestic/franchise cricket, Devon attended numerous anti-corruption education sessions. He therefore knew what his obligations were under the Anti-Corruption Codes but failed to meet these obligations across three different franchise leagues. 

“This ban is apt and should send a strong message to players and corrupters that attempts to corrupt our sport will be dealt with firmly.” 

Overall, Devon Thomas played 34 matches for West Indies, scoring 31 runs in Tests, 238 in ODIs, and 51 runs in T20Is.