American star banned over match-fixing allegations before World Cup begins

In a stunning development ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, United States cricketer Aaron Jones has been provisionally suspended from all forms of cricket following serious corruption allegations. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Jones is facing multiple charges under both the ICC and Cricket West Indies (CWI) Anti-Corruption Codes.

A statement issued by the ICC detailed that Jones is accused of being involved in match-fixing and related misconduct during the 2023–24 Caribbean domestic tournament, the B10 League. The charges comprise five counts: three under the CWI Anti-Corruption Code and two concerning international matches, which fall under the ICC’s jurisdiction.

The ICC alleges that Jones may have attempted to unlawfully influence match outcomes and over rates, concealed information regarding corrupt approaches, failed to cooperate with investigations, and withheld or distorted crucial evidence. These offences are considered among the most serious under cricket’s anti-corruption framework.

The governing body stressed that the allegations form part of a broader ongoing investigation. Additional players and associated personnel may be implicated in due course, with further charges possible in the future.

As a result of the charges, Jones has been immediately placed under provisional suspension, barring him from participating in any cricket matches or related activities. He has been given a 14-day window from 28 January 2026 to submit a written response to the allegations. The ICC has stated that no further comment will be made until the disciplinary process concludes.

Jones, 31, had been attending the United States team’s training camp in Sri Lanka in preparation for the T20 World Cup. From the 18 players in camp, 15 were due to be selected for the tournament starting next month. His suspension effectively ends his immediate World Cup participation.

Since making his international debut in 2019, Jones has represented the United States in 52 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 48 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Beyond international cricket, he has also competed in prominent franchise leagues including the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and Major League Cricket (MLC).

Key Facts:

This suspension marks a significant blow for US cricket on the eve of the World Cup and underscores the ICC’s continued vigilance against corruption in the sport.