Alec Stewart showed the strain of becoming an accused man as he issued a passionate denial of allegations that he took money from a bookmaker in return for information on England's tour to the sub-continent seven years ago.

Looking drained and tired at a hastily-arranged press conference at the England team's hotel in Rawalpindi, Stewart revealed the pressure he had been under since it became clear his name was included in the report of India's Criminal Bureau of Investigation inquiry into corruption in cricket.

Describing the ordeal over the last two days as ''the worst I've ever experienced'', Stewart gave a firm denial of claims from bookmaker Mukesh Kumar Gupta that he accepted £5,000 to supply information about the pitch, weather and team during England's disastrous 1993 tour of India and Sri Lanka, when they lost all four Tests.

He also pledged to co-operate fully with the investigation being mounted by former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Condon as head of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit into the report's unsubstantiated claims.

Stewart had initially been content to issue a joint statement with the England and Wales Cricket Board ''categorically denying'' all charges in the aftermath of the report's shocking findings.

After speaking to his family and valued confidants, including England captain Nasser Hussain, however, he decided to mount a public defence when the effects of the last few days suddenly became clear.

''From my point of view it's been far from pleasant and the last two days have been the worst I've experienced, but I'd like to think I've got a strong personality and I'll come through all this,'' he explained, his voice often choking with emotion.

''I've spoken to my family and it's not pleasant for them either. The name Stewart has featured strongly in the newspapers and the media over the last couple of days and what I will say is that they've been very supportive. They are big and strong and they will deal with it.

''You go through all kinds of emotions, but it's important that I stay sane. I have a job to do over here and that is to play cricket for England in the forthcoming Test series - that's why I came over here and that is exactly what I want to do.''

Stewart spent most of yesterday consulting with Lord's officials and taking advice on his best course of action and was interviewed via conference call by ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin and chief executive Tim Lamb about the allegations.

It was then he was told he could continue as a member of England's tour party, which should provide a crucial distraction from the events until Sir Paul Condon completes his investigation.

''I was totally shocked when I found out and if I'm honest I've been in a state of shock ever since,'' admitted Stewart. ''Yesterday was certainly one of the hardest days I've ever encountered in my life and hopefully it will clear itself up sooner rather than later.

''I've denied the allegations and I know in my mind that I'm clear, but it's my word against Mr Gupta's and hopefully it's in Sir Paul Condon's safe hands.

''I'm very much in favour of Sir Paul and what he's looking to do with cricket match-fixing and I'm sure he'll investigate all matters and all allegations very thoroughly.''

What has hurt Stewart most, though, through this whole ordeal has been the possible damage done to his previously unblemished reputation as a player of the highest standards and integrity, whose name is now likely to remain tarnished until the ICC's investigation reaches its conclusion.

''My reputation within the game and hopefully when I finish playing will be a good one, one of somebody who played both forms of cricket for England more than a hundred times, scored a number of hundreds, kept wicket well and will be remembered as a very good English cricketer, not just in England, but throughout the world,'' he added.

''My reputation is a good one within the game and whenever I pack up playing I'd like to think it would still be a very good one and I'll be remembered as someone who always gave his all for England in every capacity.''

The true extent of the pressure he has suffered, only really manifested itself towards the end of the 30-minute press conference when a journalist wrongly addressed him as disgraced former South African captain Hansie Cronje.

The remark would have been greeted by a wisecrack and a smile in normal circumstances, but Stewart remained dead-pan and instead spoke emotionally about the support he has received over the last two days.

''I've had friendship messages, either directly or to the family at home and overall, the support I've had from family and friends has been outstanding,'' he enthused.

''All the guys have been supportive. It's nice to have that support there.''

Not everyone, though, is backing Stewart's continued involvement on the tour with former Pakistan star Sarfraz Nawaz leading protests against him remaining