STEVEN MANN , Cape Town | Thursday 12.30pm.
EVIDENCE that Hansie Cronje was involved in more than just providing information to bookmakers mounted on Thursday, the second day of hearings staged by the King Commission which is probing corruption in cricket.
Derek Crookes, the second player to testify, told of his surprise at being told to open the bowling during a match in India on March 15 this year, saying he had agreed with coach Graham Ford and Cronje earlier in the tour that he would not do so.
Reports from India said the Indian police had tapped a conversation Cronje had with a bookmaker, in which he said Crookes would open the bowling.
Crookes said there was however “nothing sinister” in the tactic. “I had opened the bowling for Gauteng on numerous occasions.”
Crookes also testified about a 1996 offer conveyed to him by Cronje of $250000 to lose a benefit match against India, saying he and teammate Andrew Hudson were fiercely opposed to the idea.
“We thought it was immoral and it would jeopardize our future,” he said, adding that he believed that it was a serious offer.
Daryll Cullinan, who testified after Crookes, said he saw nothing untoward in Cronje detailing the offer to the team.
“I believe it was a stroke of genius on his behalf. It was his way of testing his team,” he said. “My belief is that it was not a serious proposal.”
Earlier on Thursday, King turned down an application by e-tv to allow the station to broadcast proceedings live, saying it was more important that witnesses not feel intimidated.