Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait has issued a statement angrily denying any links to the arrest of three Indian cricketers allegedly involved in spot-fixing during a domestic Twenty20 game.

Indian Test player Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and fellow bowlers Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were all arrested by Delhi police, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said.

The trio all play for the Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing Indian Premier League, as does former Test cricketer Tait who now specialises in the short form of the game.

Tait’s name circulated in social media, on radio and a number of websites along with the three Indians, but the 30-year-old robustly denies any wrongdoing.

“I’m bewildered, I’m angry and I’m upset at the false suggestions I’ve been involved in any wrongdoing,” he said in the statement.

“While I welcome the recent statements from police clearing me of any involvement, for a few hours today I was deeply distressed by the rumours that were rapidly circulating about me, most of which were aired in the social media space.

“Not only were they without foundation, they highlight the danger of a medium that deals with innuendo rather than fact, the result of which has brought my name into question.

“At no stage in my career have I engaged in spot or match fixing and I’m in discussions with my manager and legal representatives to examine how this episode unfolded and any further action I may take.

“I pride myself on playing cricket hard and fair and look forward to continuing my career in this vein.”