Prominent figures in the world of cricket continue to react to the Sir Paul Condon led Anti Corruption Unit's interim report into match fixing in cricket.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has expressed doubt as to whether the problem can ever be cleared up entirely. Despite Condon recommendations to prevent unnecessary access to players, and to bring in security managers to keep a protective eye over the dressing room, Taylor believes there will always be an opportunity for approaches.

"You are never going to stop a bookmaker from approaching a player, whether it be in a practice session, in a team hotel or travel between events," he said.

"What you can do is try and put something in place where the players feel they are not threatened by it, they are prepared to talk to someone about it and do something about it.

"I don't think anyone really wanted to put their hand up and say 'yes there is a problem in the game' or they certainly didn't want to put their hand up and say 'yes, I've been approached by a bookmaker'.

Meanwhile former West Indian wicket-keeper, Jeff Dujon, admitted to being shocked at the extent of corruption outlined in the interim report, but said that he was not surprised that the Sharjah tournaments were seen as being a focal point for cricket betting.

"I know a lot of gambling goes on in Sharjah so it doesn't really surprise me that it is as widespread as this. It was the first time I had seen such open gambling; it is a gambling theatre. The types of things being gambled on meant that a certain type of player could easily get involved.

"In Sharjah the spectators are mostly Indian or Pakistani and even the preliminary games involving these sides were sold out. You felt that the organisers would have preferred to have India and Pakistan in the final.

"I cannot speak for other players, and I was never approached myself, but I have heard things on the sub-continent.

"It is shocking and we must seriously look at cleaning up the game," he continued. "I always suspected it went a lot deeper than was thought."

Dujon had strong feelings on the action that should be taken against miscreants: "Any players who have been involved should be banned for life in future," he said. "There must be a serious message sent out so doubts aren't cast on results of games."

In South Africa, venue for the 2003 World Cup, Dr. Ali Bacher has welcomed Condon's suggestion that the level of impropriety has reduced but expressed concern that corruption was still evident in the game.

"Given the stringent penalties already in place, it is a matter of concern that this report finds that corruption is still taking place, albeit on a limited scale. Having said that, it is gratifying to note that the so-called blatant cases have been stopped," he said.

© CricInfo