A "small number" of former New Zealand cricketers are being investigated over allegations of match-fixing.

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption and security unit have been looking into the matter over the past few months, and this has now been confirmed by New Zealand Cricket.

"New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is aware the International Cricket Council is investigating a small number of former New Zealand cricketers," read a statement from the NZC. "As this is an ICC investigation, unfortunately NZC is not able to comment further."

"It's a difficult situation," The Guardian quotes NZC chief executive David White as saying. "We have been aware of this investigation for a number of months and we are shocked and surprised by the allegations

"We support the ICC's investigation as corruption has no place in our sport. No current New Zealand players are being investigated. No games played in New Zealand are being investigated. Lastly, no matches under New Zealand Cricket's jurisdiction are being investigated."

The identities of the players who are being investigated have not been revealed.