Sussex today expressed their disappointment at the match fixing allegations surrounding two of the club’s former players.

Lou Vincent and Naved Arif have been charged with match-fixing offences by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) - the first charges ever brought in connection with fixing a county game.

Former New Zealand batsman Vincent, 35, faces 14 charges and there are six charges against 32-year-old pace bowler Arif, who played for Pakistan A.

The charges relate to a 40-over match between Sussex and Kent at Hove in August 2011, while Vincent is also charged in relation to a Twenty20 match between Sussex and Lancashire in the same month.

The players, neither of whom play in England any more, have been suspended and face lifetime bans - effective worldwide - if the charges are proven.

A statement from the club said: “Sussex County Cricket Club is naturally extremely disappointed with the allegations surrounding the actions of Lou Vincent and Naved Arif Gondal.

“Sussex have worked very closely and co-operated with the ECB Anti-Corruption unit to help establish the facts of what occurred in the two limited overs matches during 2011 and will continue to do so.

“We believe that the education available to players and staff and the controls that have been put in place by the ECB and the Professional Cricketers’ Association put our game in a good position as we move forward.

“The club will be making no further comment on this subject at this time.”