Brian Lara is showing a lack of concern over allegations, which he denies, of him being involved in cricket's match fixing scandal. At £500,000 a year - the sport's biggest endorsement - Lara has picked up intertops.com as his bat sponsor. The talking point is not only the amount of money the company are offering him but the website itself, which is best known for its gambling and casino facilities.

The Antigua-based company claims to be an official bat manufacturer which allows it to sponsor Lara. According to ICC rules, only cricket manufacturing companies are allowed to have their names on bats. It has been pointed out that the bat manufacturing company is a small subsidiary of Intertops.

But Lara has managed to keep the name on his blade and give the two fingers to those making the allegations.