A FORMER Sussex cricketer has admitted match fixing but claims he was under "direct orders" from his captain, a court has heard.

New Zealander Lou Vincent, 36, was giving evidence over his involvement with alleged match fixing in India alongside his teammate and fellow countryman Chris Cairns.

Vincent, who has been banned from cricket for life, has previously admitted fixing games when he played for Sussex.

Giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, he said his former leader and "role model" Cairns convinced him to take part in fixing while they were both playing for the Chandigarh Lions in India.

He told how he his fixing started soon after he had a "meltdown" when he was dropped from his national team in 2007.

He said he suffered from depression and began taking cannabis.

"It was my heart and my life, it (being dropped) hurt my heart. I was mentally unstable and went to get professional help."

In 2008 Mr Vincent signed up to play with the Lions.

He said he turned down an offer of cash and a prostitute from an Indian man to get involved in fixing but when he told Cairns what had happened he replied: "You work for me now."

Cairns allegedly agreed to pay Vincent (£32,500) per game to underperform.

Mr Vincent told the jury he deliberately underperformed in four games in 2008.

He said he was "mentally unstable" at the time and "felt good to be part of a gang".

However, he also told the court how Cairns once turned on him and threatened him with a cricket bat after he "messed up" a fixed game.

Mr Vincent continued fixing matches after his dealings with Cairns stopped in 2008, the court was told.

He said he was approached by an Indian fixing agent Varum Gandhi shortly after he began playing for Sussex in 2011.

He admitting fixing a match on August 23 and told the jury Sussex cricketer Naved Arif was involved in fixing and introduced him to a "Pakistani businessman" who offered to pay him for underperforming.

He said he also tried to recruit his former Sussex teammate Murray Goodwin to rig a game - although he refused to take part, the court heard.

Cairns, 45, from Auckland, is charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice, while his co-accused and "lead adviser" Fitch-Holland, from Burton Road, Manchester, is accused of perverting the course of justice.

They both deny the charges.

The case continues.