/ 24 September 2004

SA tour to India will go ahead

CEO of the United Cricket Board (UCB), Gerald Majola, says the South Africa team will tour India in November, notwithstanding the current uncertainty surrounding the Delhi Police’s reported investigation into alleged match fixing.

”At this stage the tour we proceed as scheduled,” said Majola.

South Africa is due to play two Test matches, one in Kanpur and the second in Kolkata in November.

Majola said the UCB and its players were prepared to co-operate fully with the Indian Police investigations. However Majola would like to gain more information about the investigation.

”I wrote to ICC President Malcolm Speed and to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit on Monday about this matter. I have not yet had a response from them.”

He said that the UCBSA had not received any communication from the Indian Police regarding this matter, this despite numerous attempts to make contact with the relevant person in the case.

Majola reaffirmed the UCBSA’s support of the ICC’s drive to rid the game of corruption.

”South Africa were at the forefront of exposing corruption and bribery in the game and we will co-operate with the investigation, where necessary, however we clearly do not want to send any of our players into a situation that might risk them being detained.”’ said Majola.

”If the India Police are intent on questioning any of our players – then we would want to, at least know the nature of the questioning and who will be asking the questions, we would obviously provide those players with the necessary legal representation during the questioning.

”In addition we would like to gain some form of assurance that our players will not be detained whilst in India, they are their to play cricket,” said Majola. – Sapa