Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has said it is practically impossible to completely eradicate corruption from the game of cricket.

"The investment the game places in protection strategies to mitigate against corruption is minuscule compared to the vast geographic areas the game is played in and the level of illegal gambling activity," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hayden, as telling the Hindustan Times.

"It really is a runaway train," Hayden said, adding that the only the way to counter the threat of gambling was for every individual player and administrator to decide to personally uphold the integrity of the game.

The Daily Times further quoted him as saying: "We play a great game, and as players we are honoured to uphold its integrity as a product." (ANI)