Breaking: USA T20 World Cup hero faces ICC corruption charges

Aaron Jones has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with five breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

The charges come predominantly after misconduct in Barbados’ Bim10 event in its 2023/2024 edition.

The tournament falls under the jurisdiction of the CWI Anti-Corruption Code, though two other charges are included against Jones relating to International Matches (and falling under the jurisdiction of the ICC Code).

Jones is provisionally suspended from all cricket with immediate effect and has until 14 days after January 28 to respond to the charges.

He is also set to miss the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Jones has been charged with the following according to the ICC:

Breach of Article 2.1.1 of the CWI Code: Fixing, contriving to fix or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or other aspect of matches in the Bim10 tournament in 2023/24 (or attempting to do so).

Breach of Article 2.4.2 of the CWI Code: Failing to disclose to Cricket West Indies details of any approaches or invitations to engage in conduct that would amount to a breach of the CWI Code.

Breach of Article 2.4.4 of the CWI Code: Failing or refusing to cooperate with a reasonable investigation carried out by the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (or his/her designee) in relation to possible offences under the CWI Code.

Breach of Article 2.4.4 of the ICC Code: Failing to disclose to the ICC ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the ICC Code.

Breach of Article 2.4.7 of the ICC Code: Obstructing the ACU’s investigation into possible Corrupt Conduct by concealing and/or tampering with information that may have been relevant to the investigation, or which may have constituted evidence or led to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct.

Bim10 is an annual T10 league in Barbados that began in 2022, drafting 90 players across six franchises.

According to the ICC, the charges are “part of a wider investigation which is likely to result in further charges being issued against other participants in due course.”

Jones first represented the USA in the 2018 World Cricket League Division 3 tournament, and had featured in the American middle order across both white-ball formats over 100 times.

USA have not publicly announced their squad, though Jones was in their preparatory group in the subcontinent as was expected to be selected for the tournament.

The team have until 31 January to finalise their squads, with any change after this to go through the tournament’s technical committee for approval.

You’re reading Emerging Cricket — brought to you by a passionate group of volunteers with a vision for cricket to be a truly global sport, and a mission to inspire passion to grow the game.

Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, please subscribe for regular updates, and follow EC on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Don’t know where to start? Check out our features list, country profiles, and subscribe to our podcast. Support us from US$2 a month — and get exclusive benefits, by becoming an EC Patron.