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Dalmiya steps in for a late cut

Zakia Maryam in Calcutta

International Cricket Committee chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya Tuesday expressed shock at the admission of former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje that he had received money from a bookie.

At a hurriedly-called press conference in Calcutta at 2230 IST, Dalmiya said Cronje's admission and the allegations of match-fixing made by the Delhi police needed immediate and thorough investigation.

"We welcome the announcement today that the United Cricket Board of South Africa will establish an independent inquiry into the Cronje episode and have advised it to initiate the probe as soon as possible," he said.

According to Dalmiya, the inquiry committee's findings will be placed for review before the ICC Code of Conduct Commission headed by Lord Griffith in accordance with the procedures laid down by the ICC.

Dalmiya declared that the ICC would never tolerate any attempt to malign the fair image of cricket. "Those who seek to tarnish the image of our sport in this manner will not be spared. We are eagerly awaiting the early outcome of the UCBSA's independent inquiry," he said.

Asked whether the ICC is thinking of seeking similar investigations against Nicky Boje, Herschelle Gibbs and Pieter Strydom, Dalmiya said the police are investigating the matter and if the charges are substantiated, "I promise the ICC will not allow the matter to be swept away under the carpet. Although I can't set a timeframe as to when the UCBSA's finding will be made known to us, I am optimistic of an early outcome."

He brushed aside suggestions that the ICC should conduct its own independent inquiry against those who are suspected of fixing cricket matches, saying there are black sheep in all spheres of life. "We can't put every individual under suspicion merely because one cricketer has been found guilty," he remarked.

Dalmiya declined to comment when asked whether he thought Cronje's admission that he had accepted about $15000 was a sincere disclosure. All he would say was that he was not defending any player.

Dalmiya also denied media reports that he had been summoned to New Delhi by the Union sports ministry. "Neither have I been summoned not do I come under the purview of the Indian sports ministry. However, if they require my support in the current impasse, I'll not hesitate to extend it," he said.

Dalmiya appeared to be on the defensive throughout the press conference. He simply failed to explain why the ICC had delayed action against those who had earlier been held guilty of similar charges.

"The matter relating to Shane Warne and Mark Waugh was sent to the ICC select committee comprising Lord Griffith, Sir Oliver Popelwell and Justice Sachs. We had even made the report public," he said.

He ruled out the possibility of a separate ICC inquiry into the Cronje episode, but assured that the highest body in world cricket today was determined to prevent the repetition of such incidents.

Dalmiya also criticised Parliament for its "lackadaisical approach" in not pursuing the allegations of match-fixing even though a former member from Rajasthan (a reference to Chetan Chauhan) had claimed to have evidence of it.