Tags:
Journalism of Courage
BRIDGETOWN, APRIL 14: Sir Clyde Walcott, chairman of the International Cricket Council8217;s cricket committee, says match-fixing allegations against South African players are very serious but does not believe the sport has a growing problem.
8220;If people however, are fixing matches to get money, this could develop into a major problem for international cricket.8221;
Disgraced South African captain Hansie Cronje admitted on Tuesday receiving money from an Indian bookmaker in the worst scandal in the history of the game.
Cronje confessed to taking money during a limited-overs series with Zimbabwe and England, after Indian police had charged him and team-mates Nicky Boje, Herschelle Gibbs and Pieter Strydom last Friday with 8220;cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy8221; during a limited-overs series in India last month.
Sir Clyde said the ICC has instituted measures to counter act any rise in match-fixing and he believes the people entrusted with the powers to deal with such cases are very capable.
8220;The ICC is certainly prepared to deal with these cases and has set up a high-powered committee to deal with these issues,8221; the former Barbados and West Indies wicketkeeper batsman said.
8220;But one has to be very cautious since these are legal matters and the countries that contract the players deal with the allegations first.8221;
Sir Clyde said if the ICC was not satisfied with a country8217;s investigations then it could launch an independent inquiry.
8220;The ICC has to deal with these issues because match-fixing is something that can harm the image of the game which is looked upon worldwide as a game of fair play,8221; he said.
Cronje was dropped from the South African side for a three-match limited-overs series against Australia which opened in Durban on Wednesday.
Gibbs and Boje were included in the squad, but Strydom had been dropped for lack of form.
