Essex are remaining tight-lipped on reports Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield are to be suspended for the rest of the season by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

It has been reported that the pair received letters from the ECB stating their registrations will be suspended while Essex Police continue to investigate spot-fixing allegations.

The players, who both deny any wrong-doing, were arrested last month and were bailed without charge until September pending further investigation.

An Essex spokesman said: “We will not make any comment on the article referred to, it was a speculative article.”

Kaneria (pictured) was left out of Essex’s last Championship match due to “personal reasons”.

His arrival in England from Pakistan at the start of the season was delayed due to a domestic tournament and he was interviewed by police when he landed in the country.

The Gazette understands he is unlikely to be considered for their Championship match at Hampshire starting tomorrow, while Westfield has not been in the first-team frame at all this season.

Neither the ECB or Essex have taken any action against the players so far.

The investigation is believed to centre around a Pro40 match at Durham last September.