Cricket chiefs launch Cronje inquiry

Hansie Cronje: Future in doubt

Cricket's international governing body is to launch an inquiry into betting and match-fixing, but has fallen short of the worldwide inquest demanded by senior figures in the game.

The cricketing world was rocked by Cronje's confession of dishonesty, although he denies profiting from any match-fixing.

On Friday, Cronje and three colleagues were charged by Indian police with fixing matches in a one-day series with India last month.

Hansie Cronje fact file

1987-88: First-class debut for Orange Free State

1991-92: Test match debut for South Africa against Windies

1992-93: Hit his maiden Test century against India

1993-94: First taste of Test captaincy losing to Australia in Adelaide

1994-95: Officially appointed South Africa captain against New Zealand

1995: Joined Leicestershire as overseas player

1999: Captained South Africa to the semi-final of the World Cup

The four were accused of "cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy related to match-fixing and betting".

But he was sacked on Tuesday after admitting to Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), that he had accepted money for forecasting from an Indian bookmaker during a limited-overs series in South Africa earlier this year.

Despite calls for a comprehensive worldwide inquiry into match-fixing, the International Cricket Council (ICC) have said that each case will be treated individually.

ICC President Jagmohan Dalmiya did, however, give assurances that the Cronje affair would be properly investigated.

"I promise the ICC will get to the bottom of the matter," he said.

"Any attempt to interfere with the fair conduct of our sport is totally unacceptable to the ICC. Those who seek to tarnish the image of cricket in this manner must be brought to justice."

The inquiry is likely to be chaired by Judge Albi Sachs, a member of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission.

Dalimya added that he was satisfied with the format of the inquiry to be held by the UCBSA.

'Money before honour'

But former Australia Test player, Tim May, who blew the whistle on alleged match-fixing by Pakistan players six years ago, said that cricket's governing body was guilty of failing to clean up the game.

May, chief executive of the Australian Cricketers' Association, said: "If we look back to 1994, it was important then that cricket deliver an efficient and effective investigation about match-fixing.

"Given this is six years down the track, it's pretty easy to say cricket hasn't done a very good job."

Clive Rice has also expressed his misgivings about previous investigations, though not necessarily by the ICC, and has urged the authorities to clamp down hard on offenders.

"The big problem is that nothing happened after the big investigation in Pakistan - it was swept under the carpet and that sets a bad example because players should not be allowed to get away with it.

"If they knew the consequences of their actions they may think twice before accepting these offers, but it is also a grave concern that players are now putting money before the honour of playing for their country.

"I'm sure Hansie will look back on this and wonder what he has done. He's shattered everything he's worked for because he was right up there on a pinnacle in South African cricket."

South Africa face world champions Australia in the first of three one-day matches on Wednesday. Shaun Pollock will captain the side.