Tape transcript proves Cronje did deliver8217;

NEW DELHI, APRIL 14: Former South African captain Hansie Cronje may deny that he did not put into action on the ground what he told bookie...

NEW DELHI, APRIL 14: Former South African captain Hansie Cronje may deny that he did not put into action on the ground what he told bookie Sanjeev Chawla on the phone but one of the recorded tapes of the conversation tells a different tale. Rajdeep Sardesai, who got access to one of the transcripts which Delhi Police has not released to the Press, has recreated the following scenario on the basis of what Cronje told Chawla. And the results are pretty startling.

Scene: Eve of the final one-day international at Nagpur

Conversation One

Hansie Cronje to Sanjeev Chawla: I will give them India some runs. It is a small ground and it is a quick outfield, so they must get 280 or 290.

C: What is the minimum they should score?
H: 250.
C: Minimum is 250.
H: OK.
C: If it is 249 it is off.
H: Yeah.
C: Okay, can we make it 240 or can we make it 250.
H: Yeah, 250.
C: And, if you bat first?
H: Then we will try and get not more than 245 to 255 because it is a fast outfield and very small ground.
C: Suppose, it goes more than that. What8217;s the target we should stand by you.
H: 270.
C: Okay, if it touches 270, then it is off.
Yes indeed, everything went according to plan in the Nagpur game the following day. South Africa, at 220 for five with eight overs to spare in their innings, were seemingly heading towards the 270-run deal mark. Then, Lance Klusener, who according to rumours had an inkling of the deal but was absolutely opposed to it, went wild. He smashed the Indian bowling and the South Africans added close to 100 runs in those eight overs.

At 320 for seven, Cronje8217;s first promise was belied by his suspicious teammate. That8217;s why speculation on Klusener having tipped off the Indian police also gains ground.

Conversation Two:

C to H: Who will bowl the first overs for South Africa?
H: Derek Crookes and Henry Williams.
The skipper kept his word and breaking away from tradition opened the South African bowling with Crookes8217; off spin and an injured Williams8217; medium pace. Williams, however, was to cry off due to injury in only his second over of the innings and did not take any further part in the game.

Conversation Three:

C: Who would bowl first change?
H: Klusener.
Again, the skipper was right. Klusener came on to bowl first change.

Further, Hansie also promised Chawla: 8220;Don8217;t worry, we will be bowling with non-regular bowlers.8221; Probably, this move was to allow the Indians to get some runs and make the game look thrilling.

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Also, towards the end of the conversation, Chawla angrily quoted the Kochi match, where South Africa, batting first, scored 301, thereby making an Indian run-chase stiffer Chawla apparently betted on India winning the game: 8220;Why did you score as many as 300 runs? Did you expect India to chase that many?8221;

In the end, India managed to eke out a close win in the Kochi game, with only two balls to spare.