Hansie Cronje

[The Phantom Ram]

I used to be a big cricket fan in the 80's but fell out of love with the game and have only just come back to watch / follow it. Obviously one of the biggest stories while I have been away has been Hansie Cronje. I think I know the basics - admitted to match fixing/throwing?, died in a plane crash? but I am not even 100% sure of those. How is Cronje remembered in South Africa and what really happened - is there any books that would help me read up on this subject?

[John]

Hansie Cronje was involved in match fixing.
The basic facts are clear that the Indian police were tracking a buisness man/ bookmaker. They were tapping his phone calls. Than one day they heard him talking to Hansie about cricket matches and placing money etc.
The Indian police announced this to the world. Cronje who at the time was one of the great role models in the game denied any involvement, I for one believed him.
Ali Bacher than said he and Hansie were going to India to clear Hansie's name. Bacher got a phone call from Cronje saying he wasn't going, why? Well basically he was quilty.
Than we come to the coverup in many peoples opinion instead of a prosecution a commission was set up in SA to investigate. Cronje was to give evidence confessing all his crimes in return for no prison. Did he tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I don't think even the commission could or did deceide that.
I certainly think Hansie should of never been given the free ride he was. A few years in prison would of done cricket a lot of good.
The original buisnessman I believe gave a number of other names he had given money to for favours. All were cleared.
Just to show how difficult it is a reporter who was at a fixed game between England and SA only looking back could work out that thing may of differnt. Cronje a defensive Capitain set more attacking fields than usual.

[Seamer]

John. I have always wanted to know this and maybe you might know. Was Hansie a decendent of General Cronje from the Boer war. Silly question i know but just curious.

[John]

Sorry Seamer don't know the answer to that one.
There are a couple books on the subject I haven't read. Deon Douws book ...anything but the truth? seems well recommended.

[Paoli]

Quite a few Cronje's, Seamer. I remember a South African rugby player with that surname. Could be a pretty common name.

[Andy Mellon]

There's a good, detailed biography of Cronje on cricinfo:

http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/conte...yer/44485.html

How many South Africans do we not know by their real names?

Hansie Cronje = Wessel Johannes Cronje
Jonty Rhodes = Jonathan Neil Rhodes
Boeta Dippenaar = Hendrik Human Dippenaar
Jacques Rudolph = Jacobus Andries Rudolph

Are there any other players like this?

[Paoli]

AB de Villiers; Abraham.
HD Ackerman; Hylton.
Nantie Hayward; Mornanantu.

Could be a long list...

[Microshocker]

Matchfixing or no matchfixing, one thing is simple. Cronje is the only larger then life cricketer to ever come out of Africa.

When I saw this guy batting, I always thought he had this "aura" around him. The type guys like Imran Khan, Azharuddin, Wasim and Lara have.

[John]

Cronje was a crook. Who went unpunished for his crimes against cricket. He lied all the way changing his story several times.

[The Phantom Ram]

Originally Posted by John

Cronje was a crook. Who went unpunished for his crimes against cricket. He lied all the way changing his story several times.

Not a big fan then?

Were you a fan before the truth came out and felt let down by him?