Lara placed bets - allegation

West Indian batsman Brian Lara, the world record-holder, has been linked to betting on cricket matches while on tour of South Africa in 1993.

Lara, who is in the West Indian side facing England in the first Test in Birmingham, allegedly placed bets on games played during the Total Triangular Series in South Africa in February 1993. The one-day series involved South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies.

Lara, a former West Indian captain and one of the most famous names in the game, has recorded the highest individual innings in both Test and first-class cricket.

A Cape Town businessman confirmed in an affidavit on Thursday that he made a single payment of R20 000 "for winning bets" to Lara on March 3, 1993.

The businessman said he did not want to be named, "not with all the threats that are flying around at present".

He said he contacted the United Cricket Board "because I'm angry that only South African cricketers are being accused of illegal activities when I know overseas players have also been involved."

The businessman has submitted the affidavit, a copy of which is in the possession of the Witness, to Clifford Green, the United Cricket Board lawyer. Green said that the affidavit will be forwarded to the International Cricket Conference within the next few days.

The West Indian Cricket Board has been informally informed of the affidavit, Green added.

The businessman said he became friendly with Stanley Behrman, a bookmaker in Cape Town. Behrman left for Israel in July, 1994, leaving debts of over R2 million.

The businessman says, in the affidavit, that in February, 1993, he and Behrman met a number of West Indian cricketers at a pub at the Waterfront in Cape Town.

"Behrman informed Lara that he was a bookmaker and it was immediately obvious that Lara was interested in pursuing this relationship. Behrman gave Lara his contact details and told him to call him if he was interested in placing any sports bets.

"I received a call the next morning from Behrman who informed me that Lara had contacted him and wished to take some bets.

"Behrman informed me that Lara took a number of bets thereafter, usually on the basis of betting on one particular batsman against another, the highest score and other exotic bets. Lara would give information to Behrman regarding the likely scenario for the matches."

The businessman said last nigh that Lara "definitely" bet on his own performances, twice successfully backing himself to make the top score.

The businessman said that he remembered one occasion when Lara told him that it "would be useful to bet against Dave Callaghan (the SA middle-order batsman) as he is uncomfortable against fast bowling".

After the triangular tournament Lara joined Northern Transvaal and was in their team to play Western Province in a day/night game at Newlands on March 3, 1993.

"Behrman called me and asked me to visit him at his home on my way to the game. When I arrived at his house, he counted out R20 000 in cash and placed it in the envelope. He requested that I give the money to Lara and informed me that the money was for winning bets. He also informed me that Lara had invariably been successful with his bets placed with Behrman.

"I met Lara at the players' enclosure [at Newlands] and gave him the envelope. He was expecting the money and left after a brief chat. After the game Lara and I had dinner," said the businessman.

Betting on cricket matches would have been illegal at the time. Only in December 1994 was sports betting legalised in South Africa.

Lara stepped down as West Indian captain after a disastrous tour of New Zealand in early February this year and then withdrew from the national team before the home series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Lara underwent treatment from a therapist who advised him to stay away from cricket "until he recovers his passion for the game".

After just three first-class matches and two weeks in England, he announced this week that he is mentally prepared for Test cricket.

"I am looking forward to it. Stepping away from the game, you always want to make sure you come back and have the edge," the 31-year-old Lara said. "I achieved that and now I've got to prove it. I feel confident right now that I will go out and do well in this series."

During his nine-year West Indies career, he scored 5 573 Test runs at an average of 60,73. His exploits include the record-breaking 375 against England at Antigua in April, 1994. - The Natal Witness