OWN CORRESPONDENT, Sydney | Saturday 12.00pm.
AUSTRALIAN Cricket Board officials said on Saturday the Australian team’s one-day tour of South Africa will not be affected by allegations of match-fixing involving South African captain Hansie Cronje and three of his teammates.
The ACB would not comment on the allegations but chief executive Malcolm Speed confirmed it will not affect Australia’s three-match campaign starting on April 12.
“There is no risk to the South African tour and we are looking forward to playing against them next week,” Speed said.
“From a cricket perspective we are confident that the ICC and United Cricket Board of South Africa will deal with this matter effectively and expeditiously.”
Cronje and three of his players on Friday strenuously denied allegations of any involvement in match-fixing during South Africa’s one-day international series against India in March.
Cronje, Herschelle Gibbs, Pieter Strydom and Nicky Boje were named earlier on Friday by Indian police investigating match-fixing allegations during a five-match one-day series between India and South Africa.
Australia are scheduled to play South Africa this year in six one-day matches, three in Africa this month and three in Australia in August. — AFP