Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent has candidly shared his experience of being drawn into match-fixing during his stint in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) in the late 2000s. Battling depression at the time, Vincent said the camaraderie within the match-fixing circle gave him a misplaced sense of belonging.

Vincent, a talented batter who represented New Zealand in 23 Tests and 108 ODIs, made a stunning start to his career with a century on Test debut against Australia in 2001. However, personal struggles and involvement in illicit activities cut his promising career short at just 29 years of age.

In 2014, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) imposed 11 life bans on Vincent for his involvement in match-fixing. Last year, the restrictions were partially lifted, allowing him to participate in domestic cricket activities.

Reflecting on his fall from grace, Vincent said, “In India, I was dragged and sucked into fixing the world. I was lost and broken, seeking something to hold on to, and unfortunately, I found it in the wrong place.”

The 46-year-old’s revelations serve as a stark reminder of the pressures faced by athletes and the importance of mental health support in professional sports.