The integrity unit of Cricket Australia (CA) is to investigate an on air exchange in which Channel Ten commentator Mark Howard provided tactical information to Adelaide Strikers captain Brad Hodge in its Big Bash League fixture against Sydney Thunder.
Strikers posted 178 en route to a dominant 77-run win over Thunder on Wednesday, which saw the Sydney franchise eliminated from the BBL.
However, during the game Hodge - who wore a microphone in the field - was informed that seamer Ben Laughlin had strong record against Thunder skipper Shane Watson.
Hodge replied: "Really? I'll bring him on next over then, let's get him into the game."
The introduction did not bring about Watson's dismissal, but CA noted its disappointment that the information was passed on and plans to review the incident.
"Australian cricket has a long-standing, proactive approach to sports integrity management," a CA spokesperson was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo .
"We educate our broadcasters at the beginning of each season in the area of Cricket Australia's integrity codes and policies so they fully understand the extent we take to ensure the integrity of cricket in the country.
"We are disappointed with the comments made on the BBL broadcast last night [Wednesday], and expressed this concern immediately to Channel Ten when it occurred.
"Cricket Australia's integrity unit is looking into the matter further to ensure the comments made during the broadcast did not jeopardise the integrity of last night's match."
Network Ten issued an apology, but insisted there was no intent to influence the outcome of the game. "Network Ten apologises to Cricket Australia for comments made during last night's Big Bash League match," a spokesperson said.
"The comments were in no way intended to advise Adelaide Strikers captain Brad Hodge on game tactics or influence the outcome of the game. Network Ten ensures that all commentators are educated on Cricket Australia's integrity codes and policies."
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