Cronje could face claims from former team-mates

However much money Hansie Cronje earns from assorted interviews and book deals, at least some of it may have to be used to pay the legal costs of his former team-mates. Weekend reports suggest that both the United Cricket Board and South African players are considering instituting civil claims against Cronje to recover costs incurred by their appearances before the King commission of inquiry.

The Sunday Independent quotes Ali Bacher, managing director of the UCB, as saying that combined legal bill of the UCB together with current and former South African players is in excess of R1-million.

According to this report, Bacher said action against Cronje would be considered only through consultation between players and the UCB.

"In connection with the former players, who gave evidence to the King Commission and who are not contracted to us, we have no jurisdiction over them and any decision they take will be their own," said Bacher.

"Right at the outset when it was understood that there was going to be a government-led commission into the scandal, we were phoned by David Richardson (former wicketkeeper and now commercial manager of the national team) in regard to the legal fees of the contracted and the former players.

"Our response was that we would give consideration to give assistance, but could give no guarantee. We would only take a decision in this regard once the whole process had been completed.

"Clearly we would have sympathy with players who have incurred legal costs because they had to appear before the commission even though they have been found to be totally blameless."

According to the Afrikaans daily Beeld, lawyer Peter Whelan who represents 37 South African players said: "I can confirm that we are giving serious consideration to possible civil action against Cronje."

It is estimated that the cost of legal fees to the players as a result of Cronje's actions is in excess of R400 000.

On Monday, the disciplinary committee convened by the UCB to deal with the cases of Herschelle Gibbs, Henry Williams and Pieter Strydom will pass sentence on the three players. Strydom is likely to be given no more than a caution, but Gibbs and Williams could face bans from the game for anything from six months to five years.