Former Sussex bowler Naveed Arif has been handed a life ban from cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board after pleading guilty to six breaches of its anti-corruption code.

Arif was charged, alongside Lou Vincent, last month over spot-fixing in Sussex's Clydesdale Bank 40 match against Kent in August 2011.

A statement released by Arif's solicitors said: "Mr Arif regrets his conduct which has let himself, his teammates, Sussex County Cricket Club and the cricket fraternity down.

"He is deeply ashamed of his actions and, consequently, bringing the game of cricket into disrepute. These actions were unacceptable and Mr Arif has no excuses.

"Being banned from cricket, the game he loves, is the most severe punishment he could receive. Mr Arif is currently considering his future, having learnt some painful lessons from his past."

He is now banned from taking part in any form of cricket sanctioned by the ECB, the International Cricket Council or any other national cricket federation.