SOUTH AFRICA: CRICKET - South African cricket commentator Craig Marais thinks nothing will come of questioning of South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs in Delhi over match fixing allegations

South African cricket commentator Craig Marais thinks that little will come of Thursday's questioning of South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs in Delhi. Speaking in Cape Town on Wednesday (October 11) Marais, who played first-class cricket as a wicketkeeper in the early 1990's said, "It's had quite a lot of media coverage. Nothing much is going to come of it. I think the public's feeling is if nothing's happened to Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and Salim Malik then nothing much is going to happen to Herschelle Gibbs either." Gibbs will be questioned by Indian police on Thursday over a six-year-old match-fixing case ahead of the Champions Trophy, a senior police official said. "We will be getting him to join the investigations and only after what is revealed, will we take further legal course," Delhi police spokesman Deependra Pathak told Reuters on Tuesday. The opening batsman would meet senior Delhi police officials in the Indian capital four days before the former champions began their campaign in the tournament, Pathak said. Delhi police named Gibbs in the case registered in 2000 following a cricket match-fixing probe during South Africa's tour of India that year. Gibbs was fined and suspended for six months by the South African board after admitting he agreed to under-perform in a one-day international on the trip in exchange for money. The offer was relayed to him by then South Africa skipper Hansie Cronje, who was subsequently banned from cricket for life. Gibbs has declined to tour India since then over fears he may be detained. A South Africa team spokesman said the player was scheduled to arrive on Thursday. "He is joining the team on the 12th (of October) in Mumbai. He will arrive with his lawyer," he said. The Proteas play New Zealand in their opening Pool B game in Mumbai on Oct. 16.

ITN Source | October 12, 2006

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