By TERRY MADDAFORD
The International Cricket Council has reacted to the worst scandal in the sport's history by launching a full inquiry into the match-fixing scandal that has rocked the "gentleman's game."
ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya has told the South Africans they must conduct a swift inquiry into the controversy which led to the sacking of popular captain Hansie Cronje.
The matter will also be referred to the ICC's code of conduct commissioner, Lord Griffiths.
Scotland Yard and the Indian police are also part of a worldwide effort to get to the bottom of the betting allegations that have tainted the sport.
Cronje was dumped after acknowledging that he had received between $US10,000 ($20,000) and $US15,000 for providing "information and forecasts" on one-day matches.
But the devout Christian, who confessed all to his minister near his home in Cape Town, denied he had been involved in match-fixing.
He had earlier spoken to South African cricket boss Ali Bacher six or seven times, swaying Mr Bacher to eventually back his integrity. Nothing in his demeanour gave him away in those discussions.
But within 24 hours, Cronje's world turned upside down.
At 3 am on Tuesday (South African time) he called Mr Bacher and later South African Cricket Board president Percy Sonn and told them: "I have not been entirely honest with you."
It was the understatement of the year. At a press conference the previous night, Cronje had said: "I just want to make it absolutely 100 per cent clear I deny ever receiving any sum of money during the one-day series in India."
Cricket has not been the only target of Asian gamblers.
One incident that led to suspicion came in January 1982 when the New Zealand soccer team played China in Singapore for the last place in that year's World Cup.
All Whites coach John Adshead received a phone call as he was leaving the team's hotel warning: "The referee cannot afford to let you win tonight."
And when it seemed likely that New Zealand would do just that, controversial refereeing decisions went against the All Whites, who finally won 2-1.
It is easy to understand how a player in Cronje's position might become entrapped.
The bookies would start out by asking seemingly innocent questions about things like the pitch and weather. The next questions would get a little heavier, asking about players, and so the pressure would mount.
The player, fearing the worst, could then see refusal as his easy way out, only to be reminded by the bookies that he could not back out without facing the dire consequences.
Cronje's fall sparks cleanup campaign
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