London: Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has been convicted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of introducing his "young and vulnerable" Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield to bookmakers and bringing the game into disrepute.

The ECB, which Friday releases the findings of its three-man panel, said Kaneria introduced Westfield to an Asian bookmaker identified as Anu Bhatt and forced him into accepting money to under-perform. Westfield was also forced to recruit other young cricketers from the Essex for spot fixing.

The ECB Disciplinary Panel announced that Kaneria has been found guilty of two charges under the ECB's regulations following a contested hearing which commenced in London on Monday June 18.

Westfield was also charged with one offence under the ECB's regulations to which he pleaded guilty.

The panel will now consider the appropriate sanction against both players and a decision is expected to be announced later in the day.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Westfield had pleaded guilty to one charge of corruption - he accepted 6000 pounds to underperform in a CB 40 match against Middlesex - and their punishments are expected to be announced later today once mitigation has been taken into account.

Westfield had pleaded guilty to corruption charges at the Old Bailey earlier this year and had served half of a four month prison sentence.

Kaneria was also arrested at the same time as Westfield but he was released due to a lack of evidence. (IANS)