Judge Frank Kirk-Cohen has rejected Hansie Cronje's appeal and thus the ban stays. For most cricket lovers this seems just and right but at home many of his former playing colleagues do not see it the way. They, of course, are entitled to their opinion but it is perhaps indicative of the extent to which some modern international cricketers see themselves as cricketers apart from the game at large. It will be one of ICC's ongoing tasks to remind them, that however wonderful as players they may be, the game is larger than the individual. Leniency towards Cronje would have given the wrong message to the wider world and young cricketers in particular. Even if on a technicality he had won a legal victory, cricket would have been the poorer
        With his untimely death the world was to see yet again a demonstration of the degree to which Cronje was admired and liked by his team colleagues despite his 'wrongdoing'. This really only serves to emphasise the enigma of the man and the astonishment with which most of the cricketing world greeted the news of his guilt.         
       Simon Wilde's authoritative and revelatory account of the match fixing controversy is likely to raise the temperature once again despite the Condon report. His study of the flawed personality at its centre and the Indian bookmakers all around make a fascinating read.
        For many the extent of gossip among the cognoscenti and awareness of the administators over such a lengthy period will be mind boggling. Hansie Cronje is a man of infinite self delusion who struggles to accept that he is the sinner. He seeks to show that he has been sinned against...and as the recent court case shows, has lost none of his arrogance nor learned much humility.
       Thank heavens for the CBI! The Indian police revealed a den of worms which ICC belatedly has now set out to eradicate..and so 'the Spirit of Cricket lives on" the better to be without Hansie Cronje..Do go and buy this book!
       Published by Aurum Press @£16.99 on sale from 27th September 2001.
       ICC's ACU has been in Sharjah thus maintaining its ongoing investigative role and vigilance in a location which many suggest has been the hot bed of much of the match fixing and Mafia betting syndicates' operations. UAE obviously wishes to hold onto its approved status as an international one day venue and is thus as keen as anybody to clean up its image.