NZ_DROPS_POT-SMOKERS_19JAN95

3 NZ players dropped for smoking pot

Three New Zealand players have been dropped from the ODI series vs WI after allegedly smoking pot at a team function. The players are Matthew Hart, Steven Fleming, and Dion Nash. Nash is consulting his lawyer, whilst Fleming has admitted the charge and made some conciliatory noises in the media. The timing was three days before Xmas at a team function during the SA tour. The matter was dealt with at the team level in SA and has only come to light as a result of the manager`s report now before the Board. It is a quite separate matter from the previous disciplining of Chris Pringle for "not trying." There is no question of Pringle being involved in this. In the local papers there was talk of 5 players coming under scrutiny for a number of discipline problems. Although all investigations are now complete and we`ll be hearing nothing more, it brings into question the subject of discipline for the whole tour. Nevertheless, there was no question (so we are told) of the Howarth resignation being over this.

The three have been replaced for this ODI series by Dipak Patel (well known), Justin Vaughan (batsman and medium pacer) both Auckland, and Royden Hayes, quickie, Northern Districts. Nash. Fleming, and Hart will be available for the test series.

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Matthew Hart`s mother has come out in public and said that there were at least EIGHT players involved. Only those who were honest were made an example of. The eight included, and I quote, "some big names." She was not prepared to name who was handing out the stuff at the BBQ (although she knows). She is understandably upset that the dishonest ones got away with it.

Dion Nash`s lawyer has said that the three confessions were "induced." When the admissions were sought there was an understanding that the matter would be dealt with there and then and that there would be no further repercussions. Hence the fines already mposed in SA. This business may well harm Nash more than anyone else since his contract this next season with Middlesex in now very much in jeopardy.