Kaneria cleared of fixing charges

LONDON: Pakistan bowler Danish Kaneria has been cleared of criminal charges on allegations that he was involved in spot-fixing in an English county match.

Essex police released Kaneria from his bail conditions without charge after four months of investigations into what they called ''cricket-match irregularities.''

The Pakistan spinner and Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield were arrested in May on suspicion of fixing in a match against Durham last year.

Kaneria was released from the touring Pakistan squad after defeat to England in the first test.

Kaneria played for Essex while under investigation. Three of his Pakistan teammates have been suspended by the ICC while they are investigated for fixing in the fourth test against England.