London, November 5 allegations that two matches between Essex and Lancashire nine years ago were fixed are being investigated, the England Cricket Board said on Sunday.ECB chairman Lord McLaurin told BBC Radio 5 Live that an inquiry was ``ongoing''.The Sunday Telegraph newspaper said the allegations that the results of the matches one a county championship game and the other a Sunday league limited overs fixture were fixed orginally came from former Zimbabwe coach and Essex player Don Topley.His claims in a series of newspaper articles were dismissed some years ago but The Sunday Telegraph said the ECB had decided to reopen investigations earlier this year when further witnesses came forward.In the championship match Essex, having been set 270 to winin 67 overs, won by eight wickets and went on to take the title by 13 points.In the Sunday match Essex made a modest 169 for six from 40 overs after being put in and Lancashire knocked off the runs with five wickets and five balls to spare. Lancashire went on to finish runners-up to Nottinghamshire for the title.McLaurin told Radio 5 Live: ``we haven't completed the inquiry. It is ongoing and as and, as and when, we will have something to say about that. I'm not prepared to say any more.''
