Cricket World Cup matches 'fixed'

South African cricket chief Ali Bacher claimed on Monday that two matches in the 1999 World Cup held in England were fixed.

Bacher told the King Commission into alleged match-fixing in South Africa that matches between India and Pakistan, and between Pakistan and Bangladesh, were fixed.

He named the matches for the first time in testimony before the government inquiry.

A key wicket for Bangladesh in the 1999 match

Eyebrows were raised about Bangladesh's victory over much favoured Pakistan at the time.

Bangladesh had never previously beaten a big name team in one-day internationals.

Bacher, president of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, had said previously that he knew about two matches that were fixed, but had not named them.

He said he was told by former Pakistan international Majid Khan last year that the matches last year were fixed.

If you will recall, that Test match was won by England, but there were a lot of dubious decisions given in that match

Ali Bacher

Bacher also questioned the outcome of the fifth Test between South Africa and England in August 1998.

Outlining his contacts with a bookmaker identified only as "R", Bacher said he had been told it was possible that Pakistani umpire Javed Akhtar had been paid to influence the result.

He told the inquiry: "If you will recall, that Test match was won by England, but there were a lot of dubious decisions given in that match.

"There were 10 lbws, nine of them given by Pakistani umpire Javed Akhtar and eight of them went against South Africa.

"One of the biggest bookmakers in India flew to Leeds before the fifth Test to make sure his clients complied with his demands."

Gibbs and Williams pointed the finger at Cronje

Bacher also told the King Commission that he had never questioned the integrity of former captain Hansie Cronje.

Bacher, speaking at the start of the second week of the inquiry, said: "He was an extraordinary asset to South African cricket.

"He was committed to South African cricket, dedicated to South African cricket.

"He was a role model for the youth of this country.

"In my history of involvement in South African cricket there has never been a better captain.

"I never ever questioned his integrity, never ever."

Cronje was sacked on 11 April after admitting taking up to $15,000 from a bookmaker.

Cash deposited

The inquiry has already heard from South African team-mates Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams that Cronje had offered them up to $15,000 to under-perform.

On Monday, the inquiry also heard that Cronje's lawyers had deposited large amounts into a trust account at the South African Reserve Bank.

Bank representative Charles van Staden said $10,000 had been deposited on 13 April and $37,600 the following day.

He added no formal explanation had yet been given as to the source of the money.

Cronje is set to give his long-awaited version of events on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Indian police said they will not drop match-fixing charges against Cronje, even though he has been offered immunity from prosecution in his native South Africa.

Cronje and team-mates Gibbs, Pieter Strydom and Nicky Boje were charged last month and Delhi Crime Branch chief Pradeep Srivastava confirmed that the legal process would continue.