England coach Andy Flower defended his spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed after the International Cricket Council asked the ECB to be more vigilant, adding that it would not employ him because of his past links with match-fixing.

Former Pakistan leg spinner Mushtaq was implicated in the Qayyum report into match fixing in 2000 and found to have had links with illegal bookmakers.

The report concluded that he should be "kept under close watch and not be given any office of responsibility [selection or captaincy] in the team or on the board."

A fine of 3,700 pounds was levied by Justice Qayyum on Mushtaq, who took over his England role in October 2008 after being appointed by then ECB chief Peter Moores.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "I wrote to the ECB at the time and presented a cautionary suggestion that they need proper due diligence."

But Flower said: "I'm very comfortable with Mushtaq - he's been brilliant for us. He's a lovely man and has been a good coach, a good example to our players and support staff."

Mushtaq will be part of the England management during the Ashes tour this winter and has become a key member of Flower's coaching staff.

The three players accused of spot-fixing during the Lord's Test, Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, were interviewed at Kilburn police station on Friday as Lorgat told a press conference that this was cricket's worst case of corruption since Hansie Cronje's scandal 10 years ago. (ANI)