Cricket match fixing

These days the columns of all the Indian newspapers are overflowing with the news of the alleged conversation between Hansie Cronje and Sanjay Chawla and his alleged involvement in match fixing. He subsequently admitted that he was not fully honest with the South African Board but has categorically denied any involvement with match fixing and added that he was only involved in match forecasting.

I recall a similar admission by renowned Australian cricketers Mark Waugh and Shane Warne, who a couple of years ago admitted they had received a few thousand dollars for doing something similar to what Cronje has admitted (if we take what they admitted at face value). However, if I recall correctly, the ABC just fined them or warned them (or both) after doing their own investigation in the matter.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is presently under pressure to cleanse this "gentlemen's game" of this disease. I feel that the ICC should not only go into what Cronje did, but also what Waugh and Warne (and others) did and mete out punishments which are independent of which country or board these Waughs and Warnes and Cronjes belong to. The ICC should use the same yardstick in all such cases.

However, some marks should go to Cronje because he was at least honest and owned up to his wrongdoings.

Shouldn't we expect players of other cricket-playing countries to show similar courage and admit their guilt if and as applicable? Otherwise one would always he reminded of the 11th Commandment, "Thou shalt not be caught"!

K.B. KALE

Pune, India