Sydney: The International Cricket Council vowed Friday to clamp down on live betting to try to ensure a corruption-free World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Anyone caught breaking the rules will be barred from the whole tournament, which starts on February 14.

Live betting or "pitch-siding" involves gamblers at sports events gaining an upper hand on other punters by taking advantage of the short time-lag, usually a matter of seconds, between play and live international broadcasts on television. Sir Ronnie Flanagan, head of the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit, said the issue went far deeper than a few clever people getting one over on betting shops.