OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Wednesday 10.20am
ASHLEY Mallett, a former Australian Test off-spinner who acted as an advisor for South Africa on its 1997-98 tour of Australia has raised even more suspiscion about Hansie Cronje and match fixing.
Mallett, a spin-bowling advisor during the Proteas tour, has told South African cricket authorities of his concerns about the team’s performance during the second Test in Sydney.
Australia won the test by an innings and 21 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. It was also the test in which Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne took his 300th test wicket.
Mallett said he became increasingly concerned over what he believes were questionable team selections, and by the tactics employed by captain Hansie Cronje during the match.
”At the time I sensed that something was wrong,” Mallett said on Wednesday.
”In light of the recent revelations, a lot of little things began to add up.”
South African cricket is till in shock over the admission by Cronje that he took money from an Indian bookmaker in return for providing information about a limited-overs international series earlier this year.
Australian Cricket Board spokesman Brian Murgatroyd said that he doesn’t think that Mallett’s claims ”actually concern the Australian team. It concerns the South Africans. We’ll review it and if there’s anything we need to investigate, we will.”
A spokeswoman for South African cricket chief Ali Bacher said he will not be taking the matter further.
Meanwhile, Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh said in response to Mallett’s claims that anyone making allegations about match fixing and bribery to provide concrete proof or keep quiet.
”I was quite astounded by these allegations but if he (Mallett) has got evidence to suggest otherwise he should bring it forward. If not, he shouldn’t be making those comments,” Waugh said. — Reuters/AFP