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31 South Africans summoned

Our correspondent

Reports from South Africa indicate that, in a sensational development, 31 people have been summoned to appear before the King Commission. These include South African players, their wives and some immediate relatives.

CricketNet, a South African web site, reports that former South African vice-captain Craig Matthews has learnt from a reliable source about the summons, though he himself has not been served notice.

However, such a development has been denied by all and sundry, including Judge Edwin King, prosecutor Shamila Batohi and Commission secretary John Bacon.

Bacon laughed it off when approached for a comment, saying "No man, those were summons issued to the players in June requesting them to make their financial statements available."

This was done to ascertain whether they possessed money that was not part of their monthly salaries, said Bacon. In this way, the Commission could check if they had received money from other sources such as betting.

Similar denials were also issued by United Cricket Board media manager Bronwyn Wilkinson, captain Shaun Pollock and former manager Goolam Raja.

The King Commission, which adjourned on June 26, is set to resume proceedings on October 2. The delay is a result of scheduling conflicts between the various lawyers involved.

In the meantime, South African investigators have written to Indian authorities to provide transcripts of the tape recordings of Hansie Cronje's alleged conversations with bookmakers. This has not so far been forthcoming. Sources from the Commission say that this lack of assistance from India has seriously hampered the work of the Commission.

Other unconfirmed reports say that most of the players and officials who were on South Africa's 1996 tour of India have been subpoenaed for their bank accounts and financial statements. These include players Andrew Hudson, Dave Richardson, Darryl Cullinan, Derek Crookes, Fanie De Villiers and Brian Mcmillan; and officials Ali Bacher (coach), Robbie Muzzell (manager) and Paddy Upton (fitness advisor).