jozeph
29 Oct 2004, 17:35
Gibbs 'fears arrest', won't tour India
October 29, 2004
Johannesburg: Ace batsman Herschelle Gibbs will not take part in South Africa tour of India next month as he reportedly fears arrest over his alleged role in a match-fixing scandal dating back to 2000.
Gibbs and veteran wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, who is currently off form, were left out of South Africa's 14-man squad for the two-Test tour, cricket officials announced Wednesday.
The right-handed Gibbs, who has scored 4697 Test runs for South Africa with an average of 48.42, on Sunday told cricket officials he would not be available for the trip to India.
Police there were probing his alleged involvement in a match fixing scandal which surfaced in 2000.
Implicated in the same scandal was former skipper Hansie Cronje, who admitted involvement his part and was served with a life ban before tragically dying in a plane crash in southern South Africa in 2002.
"Herschelle informed me on Sunday that he will not be available for selection," said United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) chief Gerald Majola.
He said Gibbs, as well as spinner Nicky Boje, had received questionnaires by the New Delhi police and were said to fear arrest if they went to India.
"We have cooperated with the Delhi police by passing on the questionnaires to the players and the board decided that the players themselves should take the decision about their availability," Majola said.
He added that Gibbs, on advice from his lawyers declined to answer the questions.
"To date we have had no response from the Delhi police," he added.
Gibbs was slapped with a six-month ban from international cricket while Cronje got a life ban from the sport after tearfully admitting before a commission headed by South African judge Edwin King that he took money from bookmakers and paid some players, including Gibbs, to underperform.
Majola said the UCB believed the matter had been settled after the King commission hearing.
"We are satisfied that justice has been done," he said.
Boje did answer questions from the Indian police, had earlier said he was very keen to go India and now replaces Boucher as vice-captain.
"Nicky has indicated to me that he is very keen to tour," said Majola.
"He answered the questionnaire in full and are now awaiting a response from the Delhi police," he said.
Long-time wicket keeper Mark Boucher, who has been out of form lately has been feeling the heat from junior keepers, waiting in the wings to take his place.
"He (Boucher) must be aware that smoke is starting to come up, and he'd better wake up and turn on the heat," newly appointed coach Ray Jennings said recently of Boucher's lack of form.
AFP
Not sure if this has been posted before.
October 29, 2004
Johannesburg: Ace batsman Herschelle Gibbs will not take part in South Africa tour of India next month as he reportedly fears arrest over his alleged role in a match-fixing scandal dating back to 2000.
Gibbs and veteran wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, who is currently off form, were left out of South Africa's 14-man squad for the two-Test tour, cricket officials announced Wednesday.
The right-handed Gibbs, who has scored 4697 Test runs for South Africa with an average of 48.42, on Sunday told cricket officials he would not be available for the trip to India.
Police there were probing his alleged involvement in a match fixing scandal which surfaced in 2000.
Implicated in the same scandal was former skipper Hansie Cronje, who admitted involvement his part and was served with a life ban before tragically dying in a plane crash in southern South Africa in 2002.
"Herschelle informed me on Sunday that he will not be available for selection," said United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) chief Gerald Majola.
He said Gibbs, as well as spinner Nicky Boje, had received questionnaires by the New Delhi police and were said to fear arrest if they went to India.
"We have cooperated with the Delhi police by passing on the questionnaires to the players and the board decided that the players themselves should take the decision about their availability," Majola said.
He added that Gibbs, on advice from his lawyers declined to answer the questions.
"To date we have had no response from the Delhi police," he added.
Gibbs was slapped with a six-month ban from international cricket while Cronje got a life ban from the sport after tearfully admitting before a commission headed by South African judge Edwin King that he took money from bookmakers and paid some players, including Gibbs, to underperform.
Majola said the UCB believed the matter had been settled after the King commission hearing.
"We are satisfied that justice has been done," he said.
Boje did answer questions from the Indian police, had earlier said he was very keen to go India and now replaces Boucher as vice-captain.
"Nicky has indicated to me that he is very keen to tour," said Majola.
"He answered the questionnaire in full and are now awaiting a response from the Delhi police," he said.
Long-time wicket keeper Mark Boucher, who has been out of form lately has been feeling the heat from junior keepers, waiting in the wings to take his place.
"He (Boucher) must be aware that smoke is starting to come up, and he'd better wake up and turn on the heat," newly appointed coach Ray Jennings said recently of Boucher's lack of form.
AFP
Not sure if this has been posted before.