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'Hurt' Cronje denies allegations

South African captain Hansie Cronje on Sunday said the allegations of match-fixing in India had 'hurt' him but added he would be happy for an independent inquiry to examine his bank accounts in order to clear his name.

But South African cricket president Percy Sonn said Cronje had no case to answer unless New Delhi police released tape recordings they claimed to have made of conversations between Cronje and an Indian bookmaker.

Sonn, who is also deputy national director of the South African anti-crime unit the Scorpions expressed anger at "spurious" allegations by Indian police against Cronje.

Diplomatic efforts to have the tapes made available to the United Cricket Board of South Africa continued Sunday.

UCB managing director Ali Bacher said he had spoken twice during the day to Deputy Foreign Affairs minister Aziz Pahad, who intends to meet the Indian high commissioner in Pretoria Monday.

Cronje spoke at a press conference in Durban. It was the first time he had faced the media since reports from New Delhi on Friday that he and fellow South African team players Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom had been charged with match-fixing.

Cronje was grim-faced and said the timing of the allegations had been a "shocker" as his team tried to concentrate on preparing for a three-match limited overs series against World Cup champions Australia.

"I want to make it absolutely one hundred per cent clear that I deny ever receiving any sum of money during the one-day series in India," said Cronje.

"I have never ever spoken to any single member of the team about throwing a game."

Gibbs and Boje attended the press conference, which was held during the supper break of a floodlit practice match played by the South African team ahead of the Australia series.

They backed up Cronje's story and said neither had received any offers to "fix" matches. Strydom did not attend the conference. He is not part of the squad for the forthcoming series.

Cronje said he had always believed match fixing had no place in sport.

"In fact I think sports betting has no place in sport."

He said the allegations had "hurt" him. "The only way to clear my name is to speak to the players and to check my bank accounts."

Cronje was asked whether he would be prepared to go to India to face the allegations but Sonn intervened.

"It's complicated," said Sonn. "This is a government thing and were talking about the captain and the other players individual rights. Our country requires the basis of a warrant to be disclosed to enable our authorities to assess whether there are reasonable grounds. It would have to go through our systems first."

Meanwhile, it emerged that Cronje was due to return to India later this month to lead a "Cronje XI" of South African players in benefit matches against Indian teams led by Sachin Tendulkar.

He said in view of the latest developments he would have to discuss these plans with the players and the UCB. Bacher said: "We would recommend that our players refrain from going to India in the next few weeks."

World Cup champions Australia arrived in South Africa earlier Sunday and immediately made it clear they would not get involved in the match-fixing controversy.

"There has been intense media interest regarding the issue of match-fixing but it would be improper for any member of the Australian management or the players to comment," said manager Steve Bernard at a press conference in Durban.

Australia will play three limited overs internationals against South Africa starting in Durban Wednesday.

But Australian captain Steve Waugh paid a glowing tribute to Cronje as a player and captain.

"I really enjoy playing against him. He certainly seems to bring the best out of my cricket. Weve had some good battles and I reckon were about 50-50. Weve got good respect for each other and were good friends."

In an indirect reference to the match-fixing controversy, Waugh said: "I always enjoy playing against someone who gives 100 per cent and hes always there trying."