Cricket chiefs are confident the Ashes series has not been affected by corruption despite a serious betting allegation ahead of the final Test.

The sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has confirmed it has received a report from the Australia team making a claim of suspicious bookmaking activity during the current Ashes series.

Reports yesterday suggested an Australian player was approached by a man suspected to be linked to illegal bookmaking at the team's hotel, following their defeat by England in the second Test at Lord's last month.

An ICC statement read: "There is no evidence of any illegal activity as a result of this approach, which took place following the second Test at Lord's in July, and the ICC would like to place on record its praise for the player approached and the Australia team management for reporting the issue.

"Approaches to players do happen and it would be naive to assume otherwise; if they did not then there would be no need for the continuing existence of the ACSU (Anti-Corruption and Security Unit).

"However, the ICC is confident that all approaches are being reported, it is proud of systems and education processes in place which have created a widespread culture of integrity among the world's top players and it is pleased those players have confidence in the ACSU to report such matters."

England take on Australia at The Oval in the decisive final Test which starts on Thursday.

And the ICC insists the clash should not be marred by suggestions of corruption.

"Incidents such as the one reported in the media illustrate the need for constant and ongoing vigilance on the part of players, officials and administrators and there is no scope for complacency," continued the statement.

"However, thanks to the ACSU, cricket is regarded by other sports as a world leader in the area of anti-corruption and the ICC wants it to stay that way.

"There is no indication that any matches in the current Ashes series or the ICC World Twenty20 2009 have been affected by corruption in any way and the ICC is confident the issue is under control."

The ACSU was set up in 2000 in the wake of match-fixing allegations and revelations about South Africa captain Hansie Cronje and the captains of India and Pakistan, Mohammed Azharuddin and Salim Malik, who were all subsequently banned for life.

It has taken a while for cricket to prove itself clean from corruption and England captain Andrew Strauss admits he is surprised at the news.

"It does surprise me," he said. "The anti-corruption unit are doing a great job.

"They seem to have been on top of things for the last five or six years or so. So it is a surprise that it's reared its head again.

"It sounds as if the player concerned acted in exactly the right manner and that will make it harder for them to get involved.

"I've never heard of any England player being approached."