Woolmer supports Cronje return

Cronje wants to get back into cricket

Former South African cricket coach Bob Woolmer has backed Hansie Cronje's bid to return to the sport.

Cronje was given a life ban for match fixing, but is seeking to overturn the ban and has expressed an ambition to one day coach South Africa.

Cronje captained South Africa throughout Woolmer's time as the national coach and the former England batsman believes Cronje should be able to get back into the game.

Woolmer, now coach of Warwickshire, is a close friend of Cronje and says his talents could still be put to worthwhile use.

Former South African coach Bob Woolmer

"He is very sorry about what he has done and he's not going to teach a child to take bribes," Woolmer told BBC Five Live.

"He should do some coaching in the black townships in South Africa. He should really find out what it is all about and help the many millions of young black children who don't have much at all. That's how he should start.

"Hansie is going to live with the stigma until he goes to his grave but I think over a period of time we should forgive him.

"Cricket and cricket people should realise that in South Africa he should not be brought back straight away, but everybody should be trying to rehabilitate him."