The principles of natural justice insist that Marlon Samuels is innocent until proven otherwise, if that eventually is the case. These are principles in which this newspaper believes and to which it adheres.

But as we all know, even for the innocent, once allegations are made and charges are levelled, clouds of doubt and uncertainty hover above the accused. So, it is among the principles of natural justice that justice must not only be done and seen to be done, but it should be done with all available speed.

In that regard, it is urgent that the claims against Marlon Samuels be addressed with dispatch, and very importantly, with dispassion. For ultimately, theonly verdict that will be worthy, for Marlon Samuels as well as for West Indies and international cricket, is one founded upon truth.

Indeed, the issues underpinning urgency in this case particularly, are clear cut. The Cricket World Cup, to be hosted by the West Indies, opens in Jamaica in a month's time. All things being equal, and on current form, Samuels is likely to be among the 14 players selected by the West Indies for the tournament.

But Marlon Samuels is fighting the taint that he may have supplied team information to an Indian bookie - in breach of the codes of conduct of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) - during the West Indies' tour of the sub-continent last month.

As of now, it is not claimed either Samuels or anyone else in the team staged-managed their performance or that Samuels benefited financially or otherwise from the information that he allegedly gave to Mukesh Kochar, which Indian police apparently intercepted by wiretap. The clear implication, however, is that the information was used for illegal gambling on a one-day game against India at Nagpur in which Samuels played.

Whatever the eventual outcome of the inquiry into this affair, at this stage it does not look good - for Samuels, for West Indies cricket. Marlon Samuels says that he has known Kochar for six years, but was never aware he is a bookie. Kochar describes himself as a regular businessman, suggesting that he is not involved in gaming. But at the very least, Marlon Samuels, based on the police transcript of the wiretap, appears to have been nave.

A seasoned cricketer, who should have been aware of concerns about illegal betting and match-fixing in the game, Samuels might have expected to have been wary if questioned extensively about a match. Indeed, he should also have had the context of match-fixing allegations, subsequently abandoned, being made in the past against his captain, Brian Lara. It is unfortunate that Samuels' antenna appeared not have gone up in the face ofKochar's queries.

If Marlon Samuels is, as he now insists, convinced of his innocence, he has a duty and an obligation to fight to the last to clear his name. If he knows otherwise, we would urge him to come clean quickly, accepting his punishment, saving himself, his family and West Indies cricket the agony of a painful and fruitless battle. With due penance, he would serve his punishment and hopefully return a better person for the experience.

Only Marlon Samuels can decide. He knows the truth.

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