A plot to fix an upcoming England cricket match has been exposed by an undercover investigation, the Telegraph can reveal.

Match fixers have been caught discussing plans to rig the outcome of England’s first Test in Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on November 6.

An undercover journalist, posing as a businessman looking to place bets on the match, filmed a match fixer and the groundsman of the match venue in Galle agreeing to help alter the outcome.

The "wicket fixing" plot involves doctoring the pitch to make it impossible for the contest to end in a draw. Such tactics would allow those involved to profit dishonestly from placing bets against that outcome with unsuspecting bookmakers.

The match-fixing allegations come from a documentary entitled Cricket’s Match-fixers, to be broadcast by Al Jazeera on Sunday night.

The programme will put pressure on England to cancel their tour to Sri Lanka unless the integrity of the series there can be safeguarded.