Steve Waugh echoes fans' disillusionment

After the players, officials, government and the investigating agency, it's now the turn of cricket fans to corner the headlines. Though most lovers of the game are angry in the wake of the match fixing exposures and a few remain disillusioned, there are some faithfuls who are still hopeful. But there is a growing feeling that with the snail-like progress made by the CBI, things may not come to their logical conclusion.

The growing disillusionment among cricket lovers was made public when about 200 fans holding placards held a demonstration against the match-fixing scandal in front of Eden Gardens in Calcutta. In the course of the demonstration, they praised Cronje for making a confession. A fan said "Hansie, we hate your actions but praise your confessions. Everybody makes mistakes and commits various types of offences, but nobody comes forward to admit his fault. This way, you have made history."

Coming down heavily on those involved in match-fixing in India, the fans also hit out at `Indian culprits', allegedly involved in match-fixing, for not `admitting' their fault. The secretary of the Ganatantrik Nagarik Samity in Howrah, Subhas Dutta, who led the demonstators said "On the contrary, they are putting forward false and fabricated counter-allegations on the issue." He added "We fail to understand how a cricketer can pay Rs.16 crores as tax under VDIS, unless he is involved in match-fixing."

In a mail to CricInfo, a cricket fan from the United Kingdom Jay Patel, was forthright in his suggestion, saying the authorities must ensure that ``any player found to be involved with bookies, let alone taking money from bookies must be expelled from the game in disgrace. Cricketers who play for India enjoy a life style with access to wealth far more than other players in other nations. So why the need for more - they do not deserve to play under Indian colours."

Another mail from one more cricket fan Jamila Jamnagerwall, sums up the issue thus: "The whole match fixing business is appalling and I don't know why players choose to do it. How do you think it affects us fans? Of course we'll just turn our backs and never look at the game of cricket again. It's time for all the teams to clean up their act and start playing real cricket because we fans are getting sick of it!" This mail is an indication of the growing resentment against those involved in the 'Hansiegate' scam and the failure of the concerned authorities to bring the guilty to book.

The growing discontent of the average cricket fan was also summed up by Australian skipper Steve Waugh. Speaking in Melbourne, he said the game had lost its integrity because of the negative publicity generated by the controversy. ``I think people want some positive stuff out of cricket. They are sick of reading the negative stuff. It's changed a bit in recent times. Even in the conversations I have had, people are always talking about bookmakers and bribery and have associated that with cricket.''

Recent statements made by Indian Ministers have suggested an amnesty for the players who come forward and accept their involvement. To many, this is an indication of trying to dilute matters. If anything, the point made by Indian Law Minister Ram Jethmalani to 'forget and forgive' these players is enough proof of that.

The lack of faith in the CBI seems to be growing, also because of the fact that in the past many of their probes have proved to be inconclusive. Just the other day newspapers featured the fact that the investigative agency could not bring to book the people behind the submarine scam. The CBI informed the Delhi High Court that it had failed to find any direct evidence against the accused in the case. Now the growing fear is that they might come to the same inconclusive verdict in the match fixing case.

Meanwhile, a dangerous development rocked the ongoing probe on Friday. KC Mittal, a government prosecutor who is pursuing the match-fixing charges against former South African captain Hansie Cronje received death threats and has been provided high security, according to the Delhi police.

Mittal has been handling several sensitive cases including the charges framed by the Delhi police against Cronje and his three teammates for their alleged involvement in the scandal. A Delhi police official said "We have also provided security at the counsel's home in view of the security threat. It is a big case and we cannot take chances.'' He added "efforts are on to track down the person who alerted the detectives on Thursday."

Elsewhere, taking a cue from Sri Lanka, New Zealand too has taken precautionary steps in the match-fixing scandal. Christopher Doig, the NZC chief executive, said the board may consider an offer from a former Auckland detective to develop a suitable programme on the ``improper approaches'' made at the players. Doig said "We are working to better prepare our players in case they get approached by disreputable people. We need to give them the skills to deal with such a situation.'' He added such a programme for players and administrators could be introduced at their cricket academy.