Sending Gibbs to India a big mistake - Bacher

Ali Bacher, the former managing director of the South African board, has said that it was a big mistake sending Herschelle Gibbs to India for the Indian police to question him on his involvement in the match-fixing scandal which broke six years ago. "I am not so certain that I would have taken such a risk," Bacher told Star, a Johannesburg-based newspaper. "Why should we open old wounds, particularly during a world cricket championship?"

Bacher remained aggressive in his stance: "I have interacted with the Indian media for 15 years and you can be assured they will not back off on this issue until the South African team departs for home".

Gibbs was questioned by the Indian police for two-and-a half hours two days ago in a meeting where he is believed to have revealed names of three former South African team-mates - including Derek Crookes, the former offspinner - who were involved in the match-fixing scam of 2000.

Bacher was in charge when the scandal broke out and was even subject to an investigation by the King Commission, an enquiry charged with investigating match-fixing in international cricket, based on an allegation made by a Johannesburg lawyer that Bacher was involved in arrangements for the West Indies cricket team to receive extra payment for losing a match.