CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (AP) Although agreeing that the match-fixing crisis overshadowing Pakistan's tour is hurting cricket, England captain Andrew Strauss argued Thursday that the sport is generally free of corruption.

Strauss will lead his team in the first of five 50-over matches on Friday in Durham. England won the test series 3-1 and both Twenty20 matches, yet the tour will be remembered for the suspension of three Pakistan players by the ICC for "spot-fixing."

"These allegations do hurt the game," Strauss said. "Every one of them that comes to light hurts the game. Cricket is strong enough to overcome them, but while they are out there it is a good opportunity to make sure that this doesn't happen again.

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