Crookes angry over Gibbs' confession
Former South African cricketer Derek Crookes has expressed shock and astonishment that his name was mentioned by teammate Herschelle Gibbs as one of the three cricketers involved in match-fixing during South Africa’s tour to India in ’00.
By Agencies |
DURBAN: Former South African cricketer Derek Crookes has expressed shock and astonishment that his name was mentioned by teammate Herschelle Gibbs as one of the three cricketers involved in match-fixing during South Africa’s tour to India in ’00.
Gibbs, who was questioned by Indian police on Thursday, accepted that he received offers to under-perform twice in ODIs in ’96 and ’00, named Crookes along with two other South African players as being part of the match-fixing conspiracy.
Indian Police have not mentioned the names of the two other players given by Gibbs, who did not accept of taking any money and said he was doing only what his late captain Hansie Cronje wanted him to do.
Meanwhile, former South African cricket Chief Dr Ali Bacher has said it was a big mistake to send Herschelle Gibbs to India for questioning by the Indian Police six years after the scandal broke out in ’00. “I am not so certain that I would have taken such a risk. Why should we open old wounds, particularly during a world cricket championship,” the veteran cricket administrator said.
Crookes, a former off-spinner who took part in the ’00 tour, told a newspaper that his name has already been cleared by the Kings Commission set up by the South African authorities to probe the scandal.
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“I was shocked when I heard it 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,” Crookes was quoted as saying in The Johannesburg Afrikaans daily newspaper, Beeld.Crookes said he would like to make a statement to the Indian police. “I will be more than willing to make a statement, along with my legal team, to the Indian police,” Crookes said.
Crookes, however, said he would not travel to India to give a statement and that the Indian Police should come down to South Africa to question him.
“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.
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“Hansie Cronje 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.”
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