FORMER Rawtenstall professional Naved Arif has accepted a life ban from cricket after pleading guilty to six breaches of the ECB's anti-corrupton code while playing at Sussex.

The 33-year-old, who was professional at the Worswick Memorial Ground in 2010, was charged along with another former Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom pro Lou Vincent earlier this year.

And the Pakistani seamer, who moved to Sussex after his year at Rawtenstall, has now pleaded guilty.

His representative Imran Khan of Lewis Hymanson Small Solicitors said: “Mr Naveed Arif has pleaded guilty to six breaches of the ECB’s Anti- Corruption Code in relation to the CB40 Fixture between Sussex and Kent at Hove in August 2011.

“Mr Arif has accepted an agreed sanction of a life ban from all forms of cricket which will prevent him from playing, coaching or participating in any form of cricket which is recognised or sanctioned by the ECB, the ICC or any other National Cricket Federation.

“Mr Arif regrets his conduct which has let himself, his team-mates, Sussex County Cricket Club and the cricket fraternity down.

“He is deeply ashamed of his actions and, consequently, bringing the game of cricket into disrepute. These actions were unacceptable and Mr Arif has no excuses.

“Being banned from cricket, the game he loves, is the most severe punishment he could receive. Mr Arif is currently considering his future, having learnt some painful lessons from his past.”