A match-fixing scandal has hit English cricket with two Essex county players facing police investigation for allegedly under-performing.

The players allegedly under-performed during the last season's Pro40 league.

Essex Police said they had been asked to investigate "match irregularities" by the two unnamed players but refused to elaborate any further.

Essex County Cricket Club too refused to comment until the investigation concluded.

According to a report in 'The Times', a player had been put in touch with a bookmaker by a teammate and had been given incentive to perform poorly in one or more high-profile games in the Pro40 league's first division, in which Essex came fourth.

Quoting a source, the report said, "One of the players is believed to have introduced another to a bookmaker who offered him money if he bowled no balls and wides in one or more limited overs games."

The report quoting another source said the alleged bet related to how many runs would be conceded by the player in an over.

"Following allegations received about two Essex county Cricket players involved in match irregularities, we have initiated an investigation and are working closely with Essex County Cricket Club and the English Cricket Board," Essex Police said in a statement.

The ECB which released the police statement, said it was unaware of the identity of the two players or the matches in question.

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