Melbourne, Oct. 12 : Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association have issued separate statements backing their cricketers against “outlandish” claims of them being involved in match fixing with the assistance of cricketer agent Mazhar Majeed.

Majeed has alleged in a London court that the Australians were involving in fixing the number of runs scored in "brackets" of overs within matches.

"You know what? The Australians are the biggest [offenders] and have 10 brackets per game," Majeed told a prospective client, later revealed to be an undercover journalist, in a recording played to Southwark Crown Court as part of the ongoing case.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said that while the allegations "appear to be outlandish, and made by a person of dubious repute" their nature demanded they not be dismissed out of hand.

"I think these sweeping statements unfairly malign Australian cricketers. If there is one skerrick of evidence we will investigate Australian players. But in my dealings with the ICC, I''m very confident I would know and understand if there were concerns about Australian players, allegations about players or investigations afoot in regards to Australian players. I have heard none of that," The Age quoted Sutherland, as saying.

Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Paul Marsh was irate at the slur against his members, but believed CA had "acted appropriately" in its qualified defence of them.

Instead, he said he would rather Majeed submit to a full examination of his broad allegations.

"This person''s said what he''s said, but if you''re going to come out and make accusations, put names to it. I would have much preferred he''d done that and then there''s an investigation and we go from there. But what he has done here is he''s put every player under suspicion," Marsh said.

The ICC has a resolute policy of not commenting on matters relating to its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, such as the Majeed claims. (ANI)