Cricket is a game that has never ceased to amaze. But till April 7, 2000 that was for all the best reasons. That was the day the Delhi 'With you, for you always' Police caught Mr Hansie Cronje with his hand in the till.
Now it is for all the worst reasons.
Here are some interesting vignettes gleaned from the match-fixing brouhaha over the last one week. Hansie Cronje and his lawyers have cried foul. How dare the United Cricket Board of South Africa ban their once-beloved captain from any association with the game! Restraint of trade, the cry!! Never mind if Mr Cronje was damaged the self-same game for all time.
The man has to earn a living after all. And what better way than by turning into an expert commentator- the Yanks call them 'color' commentators--for South African TV. What colour one may ask? The colour of money? So will Mr Cronje now be free to air his 'expert' views on how to deal with bookies and make a quick buck? Surely a wonderful lesson for young, aspiring cricketers around the world!
Now we have the spectacle of Wasim Akram - who is as slippery in real life as those mysterious reverse-swinging balls of his - jumping to Mr Cronje's defence. "Hansie is brave," says the one-and-only Wasim. "After all, he has come out with the truth about his wrong doings."
Hogwash and bullshit say I. What was the 'brave' Mr Cronje doing shouting his innocence at the Press conference with his friend and supporter Dr Ali Bacher by his side? Only to have a change of heart 24 hours later when he realised the game was up and his goose was cooked thanks to the DP having audio evidence?
Is this a case of one crook standing up for another?
Wasimbhai should shut his mouth and concentrate on those swinging balls.
Talking about crooks, one particular variety of human low-life is no doubt keeping a very low profile these days.
"Gutsy cricketer", "whistle-blower", "Mr Clean". He has been called - and called himself - all those over the last three years. Now that gentleman has been seemingly nailed by the CBI report.
Lots of cliches and sayings spring to mind - "People in glass houses." And the home grown variety as well, "Sau chuhhe khaake, billi." Remember?
Already his various media buddies who have been feeding off him and vice-versa are getting ready with their excuses. Want some fun? Just point and click your chooha at the following - tehelka.com and cricketnext.com.
The verbal gymnastics have already begun. We should see/read some 'Perfect 10s' over the next couple of days. And enough egg on the face to start a media poultry farm!!


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