Cronje will not be extradited — Pahad

“Until a judicial inquiry carries out an investigation we’ll be left in doubt about the truth and only then can we seriously consider what to do.”

South Africa does not have an extradition treaty with India, but has said it will cooperate with the Indian investigation, although it wants to listen to the alleged taped conversation between Cronje and a bookmaker.

“We’ll continue to talk to the Indians as our relationship with them is very good,” Pahad said, adding he had asked India to work closely with the South African Government.

Meanwhile, South Africans tried to put the fall from grace of National cricket captain Hansie Cronje behind them on Wednesday as they looked forward to the first match of the One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia.

“We’ve got a full house and beautiful weather and I think we’re going to have a great game,” said Cassim Docrat, Chief executive of the Kwazulu-Natal Cricket Union.

But Docrat conceded he was crushed by Cronje’s admission on Tuesday that he had accepted $ 10,000-15,000 from a local South African and an Indian bookmaker based in London, during the triangular home series with Zimbabwe and England in January.

“It’s very disappointing. I know him well and I’ve travelled with him, but he’s made the wrong decision and he has to pay for it,” Docrat told Reuters.

The Indian bookmaker based in London, who was named in connection with the scandal, denied any involvement. Sanjeev Chawla, 32, denied through his lawyer that he had ever met or spoken to Cronje.

South Africa’s newspapers reflected a National sense of betrayal on Wednesday and were peppered with headlines like “Shame”, “Oh, Hansie” and “Hansie stumped”.

Ali Bacher, managing director for the United Cricket Board of South Africa, reflected the country’s angst.

“He deceived me personally and the UCB and the government and people of South Africa. He deceived us all,” he said.

“Until recently he has been an extraordinary ambassador for this country, a role model, but here he has erred and he has erred grievously,” Bacher told National Radio.

Delhi police charged Cronje and team mates Nicky Boye, Herschelle Gibbs and Pieter Strydom last week with “cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy” during a ODI series in India last month. Cronje has denied involvement in match-fixing.

Shaun Pollock, who has replaced Cronje as captain, has said Gibbs and Boje, who are still in the squad for the series against Australia were obviously affected by the scandal.

Bacher said all of the other players had denied any involvement in match-fixing.

“I believe that to be the case, but we have been let down on this once and I hope to god we are not let down a second time,” said Bacher.

Security has been increased around the Kingsmead ground in anticipation of possible protest action, but officials said fewer than 100 people had cancelled their tickets for seats in the ground which can accommodate up to 18,000 spectators.

Docrat admitted that some players might experience some heckling from the crowd, particularly since the Durban crowd will be dominated by South Africans of Indian origin.

“We support the South African team, but we are broken. We’ve lost faith in our country and now we’ve lost faith in our cricket team, we haven’t even thought of the Indian side of it. We are South Africans,” said Arshad Saib.

A security guard at the ground Marco Jacobs said he was sure the scandal would affect the atmosphere, but not ruin the match.

“I’m with Hansie. I know he was in contact with bookmakers, but I support him and South Africa all the way,” Jacobs said.