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Stanford's Other Mess: Cricket

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2009 10:45 AM CST
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(Newser) – Before he was charged with massive fraud, Sir Allen Stanford was often charged with an equally grievous offense: subverting the game of cricket. The Texan was among the sport’s deepest-pocketed fans, but the fast-paced Twenty20 tournaments he favored annoy purists. When Stanford put up $20 million in prize money for a winner-take-all match in Antigua—the most ever awarded for a cricket game—many cringed.

The match pitted England’s national team against a West Indian all-star squad, dubbed the “Stanford Superstars.” To promote it, Stanford flew a helicopter to Lord’s Cricket Ground, bringing a giant box filled with millions in cash. “It was so cheap and nasty,” said the chairman of the Leicestershire County Cricket Club. “Effectively, we rented out our national cricket team for a prize fight.”

In this June 11, 2008 file photo Sir R. Allen Stanford, center, and the England and Wales Cricket Board pose in front of a box containing $20 million, at the Lords Cricket Ground.
In this June 11, 2008 file photo Sir R. Allen Stanford, center, and the England and Wales Cricket Board pose in front of a box containing $20 million, at the Lords Cricket Ground.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)
Sir Allen Stanford, left, celebrates with Stanford Superstars' player Shivnarine Chanderpaul after they won the Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match with England in St. John's, Antigua, Nov. 1, 2008.
Sir Allen Stanford, left, celebrates with Stanford Superstars' player Shivnarine Chanderpaul after they won the Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match with England in St. John's, Antigua, Nov. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Sir Allen Stanford high fives members of the ground staff while celebrating his team's victory in the Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match against England in St. John's, Antigua, Nov. 1, 2008.
Sir Allen Stanford high fives members of the ground staff while celebrating his team's victory in the Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match against England in St. John's, Antigua, Nov. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Sir Allen Stanford presents to the Stanford Superstars a replica check for $ 20 million after they won the Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match against England in St. John's, Antigua, Nov. 1, 2008.
Sir Allen Stanford presents to the Stanford Superstars a replica check for $ 20 million after they won the Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match against England in St. John's, Antigua, Nov. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Andthe Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match against England in St. John's, Antigua, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008.res Leighton)
Allen Stanford, left, and former West Indies' cricket player Curtly Ambrose celebrate after the Stanford Superstars won the Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match against England in St. John's, Antigua.
Allen Stanford, left, and former West Indies' cricket player Curtly Ambrose celebrate after the Stanford Superstars won the Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match against England in St. John's, Antigua.   (AP Photo/Andres Leighton, File)
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