Tags:
Journalism of Courage
JOHANNESBURG, APR 11: In the wake of the betting scandal, cricket officials in Durban said they had been inundated with demands for refunds ahead of tomorrow8217;s one-day match against Australia.
The international is the first of a three-match series being held this week, with a return series to be played in Australia in August.
In bars around Johannesburg fans shook their heads in disbelief and stared disconsolately into their beers today as they tried to make sense of the scandal which has rocked South African cricket.
Hansie Cronje8217;s startling admission that he took up to 15,000 dollars from a bookmaker ahead of a game has left supporters bewildered.
8220;I8217;M Devastated, I just can8217;T believe it. I thought he was avery honest, very straight guy. I thought he played for the love of his country. I can8217;t believe he8217;d give that all up for money,8221; said Anton Naude, a local businessman.
8220;He8217;ll never come back from this.8221;
Cronje, 30, was sacked as South Africa8217;s captain today after he admitted receiving between 10,000 and 15,000 dollars from a local South African and an Indian bookmaker in London during the triangular home series with Zimbabwe and England in January.
Fans said Cronje had disgraced himself and the game.
8220;It taints the individual and the sport,8221; said Ronnie Kesson, a construction worker, as he nursed a Castle lager, the official sponsor of the National team.
8220;He was a great cricketer, a great man, and he lost that in seconds. It8217;s a deep embarrassment. He8217;s going to have to live in isolation for the rest of his life. His reputation is gone.8221;
