Wessels in King commission row

Kepler Wessels, the man who preceded Hansie Cronje as South African captain, has been dragged into a row with Justice Edwin King on the eve of a commission of inquiry into match-fixing in South African cricket.

Wessels, mentor to Hansie Cronje before the latter took charge of the South African team in late 1994, had questioned the work of the commission on a Cape radio station, asking how it could start its hearings without being in possession of all the relevant information. Wessels was referring to tape recordings in the hands of Indian police purporting to contain conversations between Cronje and an Indian bookmaker.

He also said that he had information from high places that "(there is a desire) to have as little as possible come out of the inquiry".

Judge King's response, also on radio, was to describe Wessels' remarks as "impertinent, insulting and devoid of all truth". Wessels has now also been subpoenaed to appear at the hearings.

In another development late on Tuesday, the batting order of witnesses for the first day of hearings on Wednesday has been changed. Initially, United Cricket Board director of playing affairs and umpiring, Brian Basson, was scheduled to be the first witness to give evidence.

It is now understood, however, that racing personality Neil Andrews will be first up to explain to the commission the concepts of spread and line betting. It is also believed that South African players Daryll Cullinan and Derek Crookes will follow Andrews.

In another development on Tuesday, former South African coach Bob Woolmer was quoted as calling for Cronje to be recalled to cricket as soon as possible.

Woolmer, who has expressed several different views on the affair since the scandal broke in April, reportedly said: "Hansie should be brought back into the fold as quickly as possible. Hansie certainly has admitted he has done something wrong and that should be taken into account.

In another interview, Woolmer, who has offered his services as a witness to the commission, described Pat Symcox and Ashley Mallett as publicity seekers for expressing their opinions on Cronje's captaincy. Woolmer is in Cape Town to publicise his book "Woolmer on cricket".