Mervyn Westfield

Former Essex fast bowler Mervyn Westfield, who was released by the county in 2010, has pleaded guilty to spot fixing at the Old Bailey - the first English cricketer convicted of corruption charges.

The former England under-19's cricketer from Romford pleaded guilty to two charges - accepting or obtaining corrupt payments, and assisting others to cheat at gambling, offences under the Corruption Act and 2005 Gambling Act respectively.

Sentencing has been adjourned until Feb 10 and he remains on bail until that time.

The 23-year-old is has been told he faces potential jail sentence and three Pakistani players - Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt - were jailed under the same Acts last year.

Westfield's arrest followed events in a Pro40 match between Essex and hosts Durham at the Riverside in September 2009.

The fast bowler had conceded 60 runs from seven overs (over 8.5 runs an over) bowling four wides and two no balls after agreeing to concede a set number of runs in return for a 6,000 payment.

The match was televised and beamed into India where billions of dollars are illegally gambled on cricket matches.

Essex won the match by seven wickets with 19 balls remaining.