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South Africans wanted to 'throw' 1996 ODI in India

Paran Balakrishnan in London

The South African cricket team met thrice before rejecting a $250,000 bribe to lose a one-day international in India four years ago.

Hansie Cronje's side was on the brink of accepting the offer after several meetings at the Taj Hotel in Bombay, but was stopped by three senior team members, according to Britain's Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

The South Africans were offered $250,000 to lose a benefit match that was turned into an ODI during their 1996 tour of India.

The tour included three Tests, seven one-day internationals and a benefit match in Bombay and the players were resentful about the tight schedules.

Firm opposition from three team members -- Jonty Rhodes, Dave Richardson and Andrew Hudson -- prevented the team from accepting the cash. "I didn't think of it at the time. But it shouldn't have got to the team meeting," Richardson, the former South African wicketkeeper, said.

But the team was deeply divided and many younger players felt they should take the cash. After several rounds of discussions a decision was deferred till the next day. Finally, it was implacable opposition from Hudson that prevented the team from accepting the offer.

"When you are touring the subcontinent, those approaches are made often and as you visit more and more those guys get to know who you are and come and speak to you," Richardson said.

The bookmakers wanted South Africa to lose the match by around 70 to 90 runs.

A slew of fresh allegations about matchfixing has appeared in the British newspapers. One newspaper reported that three English players have been involved in match-fixing scandals masterminded by Indian bookies.

English player Chris Lewis was offered around 300,000 pounds to lose a match, according to the News of the World. The offer was made by a well-known figure in Indian sport, according to the newspaper.

Speculation is also mounting that Cronje took special measures to ensure a result in the South Africa versus England Centurion Test in January. The match was washed out for three days and the two teams batted only one innings each.

England had to score 249 in 76 overs and won with five balls to spare. At the time Cronje claimed the South Africans wanted to make a match of it, but this is now denied by leading team members, according to The Sunday Times.

The bookmaking fraternity was keen on a win by either side. "I would like to think that Hansie was acting in the interests of the game... but it totally went against the guy I know," said Daryll Cullinan, the South African batsman.

Some British newspapers also acknowledge that the initial reaction to the Delhi police allegations was tinged with racism. Says former England captain Michael Atherton: "People who nod knowingly when an Asian cricketer is accused initially dismissed the rumours out of hand when a South African became involved... that approach says a lot, I suppose, about the question of racial stereotyping."

ALSO SEE:
The Match-fixing Scandal