`Miracle can save Hansie’

CAPE TOWN, NOVEMBER 4: Only something `MIRACULOUS’ would persuade the United Cricket Board of South Africa to allow Hansie Cronje back into the game, UCB president Percy Sonn has said. The board on Thursday officially banned Cronje but hinted that it might overturn the ruling at some point in the future if the disgraced star repented.

But this was unlikely, Sonn told on Friday. Realistically speaking, I don’t think that Hansie can come back to play or coach next week, or the week after that, or next year or the year after that, unless something miraculously happens,” Sonn said.

Cronje’s lawyers are going ahead with legal action against the UCBSA on the grounds that the ban was unlawful, the channel said.

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The UCBSA’s general council last month passed a resolution to ban Cronje for life from all aspects of the game, while giving him seven days to respond.

No representation was made before the deadline expired, a board source told the National news agency.