One is drugs, the other is cheating.

So it goes that many Australian fanatics will be sickened (though perhaps not surprised) to learn of the latest match-fixing scandal to rock international cricket.

The allegations include claims that Pakistan threw the second Test against Australia at the SCG in January.

At the core of the scandal, though, is the suggestion that Pakistani bowlers were paid up to $14,000 a pop to deliberately bowl no-balls during Test matches against England.

All this supposedly took place at Lord's in England, the spiritual home of cricket. The game's fathers must be turning in their graves.

An Indian man, alleged to be part of a gambling syndicate, has been arrested in Britain and charged with fraud-related offences.

For more than a century, cricket has enjoyed a fine reputation as a sport of distinction.

Sadly, that reputation appears to be unravelling as scandal after scandal becomes public.

It is hard to see how Pakistan will now be able to take to a cricket field anywhere in the world and play with its head held high. It will be hard to watch it lose and not wonder about the legitimacy of the result.

It is difficult to see how the International Cricket Council will be able to let Pakistan play another game while the doubts hang heavy in the air.

The ICC has a corruption unit, but it has failed to make an impact on match-fixing, despite rife rumours about the practice.

If, as has been suggested, Pakistani players have been found with cash used as part of the sting that uncovered the match-fixing, the ICC may well have the scalps it needs to send a clear message.

Any player found to be involved should be banned for life.

There is no room for match-fixing in cricket (or any other sport).

That's why the game's governing authorities - including Cricket Australia - must act collectively, quickly and decisively on this matter.

If it doesn't, the game's reputation could be irretrievably damaged.