/ 12 April 2000

‘HANSIE WAS FRAMED’ — DONALD

SOUTH African fast bowling legend Allan Donald on Tuesday said Hansie Cronje had been set up, leading to his sacking as his country’s cricket captain. Cronje reportedly received between $10000 and $15000 during a triangular tournament earlier this year but Donald said: ”By the looks of it he (Cronje) was done in. He got a mobile phone which was tapped. His phone in his room was tapped. ”By the looks of it he was set up, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. If you accept money you are leaving yourself open.” Donald said he was convinced Cronje had shown poor judgment. ”It was an error of judgment,” he said. ”I just hope it all gets sorted out and justice is done in the end. ”If he is guilty he deserves it, but now let it be sorted out by the proper authorities and justice will be done in the end.” Donald said Cronje had always been an ambassador for the sport and his country. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: ”I really still don’t know what to say. It’s very sad, a dark day for South African people and for South African sport. ”Cronje’s a very intelligent guy and I would never have thought for one second that my captain would be involved in anything like this.”