Cronje fails to overturn life ban

Hansie Cronje factbox 1969 - Born September 25, Bloemfontein. 1987 - As a right hand bat who bowls medium pace, makes first-class debut for Orange Free State versus Transvaal in Johannesburg. 1992 - Test debut versus West Indies in Bridgetown. 1994 - Appointed South Africa captain aged 25, replacing Kepler Wessels for home series versus New Zealand. 1995 - Plays for Leicestershire, scoring 1,301 runs at 52.04. 1996 - Leads South Africa to 1-0 home victory against England in their first five-test series since the republic returned to world cricket after the dismantling of apartheid. 1999 - Dream of winning World Cup wrecked as South Africa go out in semifinals to Australia with both teams tied on 213. 2000 January- South Africa beat England 2-1 but lose the rain-affected 5th and final test, ending a 14-match unbeaten run, as Cronje surprisingly agrees to forfeit a innings. April- Charged with match-fixing by Indian police after one-day series in March. Dropped from one-day series against Australia after admitting not been "entirely honest" in his denials. May-June- tells King commission: "I tried to live a Christian life and walk the way the Lord wanted me to walk...I allowed Satan and the world to dictate terms to me." Admits approached team mates Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams, about underperforming in a one-day match against India. Admits accepting about $130,000 from bookmakers over four-year period. Denies he ever threw a match. October- Banned for life by United Cricket Board of South Africa after playing 68 tests, making 3,714 runs at 36.14, and 188 one-day internationals. 2001 January- Launches court bid to overturn life ban, saying does not want to play again but wants to renew links with the sport. UCB counsel Wim Trengove says: "Cronje is a cheat by his own confession." July- Cronje says he would like to coach South Africa one day. Denies having concealed secret bank accounts from inquiry. Says he was frustrated by ban because he wanted to coach children and help them buy equipment "especially in the rural townships". Adds he kept himself busy by studying for a second degree and starting a club for disabled athletes.

Disgraced former South African captain Hansie Cronje failed to overturn a life ban from cricket in court on Wednesday.

The Pretoria high court ruled that the ban, imposed after Cronje admitted last year that he had accepted money from bookmakers during his captaincy, should stand, but said he could take part in certain coaching and media activities.

Cronje, who also offered money to two team mates to under-perform in a one-day international, argued he had not been given a fair hearing before the ban and that it prevented him from earning a living.

Cronje's downfall came in April last year after Indian police investigating match-fixing taped him talking to underground bookmakers.

Cronje, a born-again Christian, denied the charges at first before saying he had allowed "Satan and the world to dictate terms to me".

Team mates Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams served six-month bans from international cricket after admitting they had considered an offer from Cronje to play badly in a one-dayer.

Cronje told a government commission set up to investigate the scandal that he had accepted about $130,000 from bookmakers over a four-year period in return for information and influencing the course of matches although he denied rigging results.

His sacking was part of a worldwide match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport. Two other former national captains, Mohammad Azharuddin of India and Salim Malik of Pakistan, were also banned for life.

The International Cricket Council had said it believed match-fixing was continuing in the sport.

Cronje, 32, initially cut his ties with cricket, saying he would never play again.

Recently, however, he has become increasing vocal in wanting to renew his links with the sport, at first talking of his desire to coach underprivileged children and recently suggesting he could become South Africa's coach.

It has been widely speculated that he could also try to find employment as a cricket commentator.

Cronje, a powerful right-hand batsman and useful medium-pacer, played 68 tests, averaging 36.41, as well as 188 one-day internationals. He became South Africa's captain at the age of 25, helping to forge a side currently ranked second in the world behind Australia.

Mail Cricket Editor