Hansiegate shock for Crookes
Jaco van der Merwe and Christo Buchner, Beeld
Mumbai - Former South African spinner Derek Crookes has reacted with dismay to allegations that he was named on Thursday as one of three cricketers involved in match-fixing in India in 2000.
It was reported earlier that Herschelle Gibbs had mentioned Crookes's name in a statement to the Indian police, along with those of two other players who were not identified.
Gibbs and his lawyer, Peter Whelan, have denied they mentioned any names to the Indian police.
"I was shocked when I heard it," Crookes said on Thursday evening, "especially as I was cleared by the King Commission of any involvement in match-fixing.
"I have never had anything to hide and gave evidence during the King Commission's hearings. I will be more than willing to make a statement, along with my legal team, to the Indian police.
"The only reason I can think of for them wanting to link me in some way to match fixing is that I opened the bowling on that day in Nagpur.
Told he would open the bowling
"Hansie Cronjé had told me earlier I would open the bowling. Afterwards it was said to have changed, but shortly before the match, Hansie told me again I would open.
"I did not find it strange because I had opened the bowling for Gauteng on occasion.
"I was always ready for a challenge and suspected nothing when Hansie told me about the plan.
"I had no idea that it might have something to do with match-fixing or that some guys would be betting on it," Crookes said.
Asked whether he would be willing to go to India to testify, Crookes said, "Not really. I think they (the Indian police) can rather come here."
Gibbs, accompanied to New Delhi by Whelan, was questioned for 2½ hours on Thursday about his alleged involvement in match-fixing.
Afterwards, they returned to Mumbai while, at a news conference in New Delhi, it was said that Gibbs had mentioned three names.
The police said a letter would be sent to Cricket SA soon and they would ask that the players involved should be sent to India for questioning.
They were both stunned
Whelan had said earlier that Gibbs would provide the same information to the Indian police as he had done during the King Commission's hearings in 2000.
For that reason, both were stunned to hear reports that Gibbs had mentioned new names.
Whelan refused to comment before studying transcriptions of the questioning. Late on Thursday evening, he was still waiting for a copy.
"Matters are very sensitive at this stage and we dare not make a move before we are 100% certain of our facts," said the SA team's media manager, Gordon Templeton.
The Indian police thanked Gibbs for his co-operation, but told him to keep himself ready for further questioning if needed.
However, he will not be questioned during the Champions Trophy tournament.
Gibbs will play in India for the first time in six years when he turns out in the SA team's last warm-up match here on Friday.
News source: www.news24.co.za
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
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