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Cronje sacked after admitting 'dishonesty'

The United Cricket Board of South Africa pulled skipper Hansie Cronje out of a one-day series against Australia on Tuesday after he admitted having been "dishonest" with the board over his activities in India last month, board managing director Ali Bacher said.

Bacher said he and board president Percy Sonn received a call from Cronje at 3:30 a.m. (0130 GMT) on Tuesday to say he had been dishonest with the board regarding his activities in India.

"As a consequence, the UCB decided to withdraw Cronje from the South African team for Wednesday's limited-over match against Australia in Durban," he said, adding that a press conference would be held in Durban at 3:00 p.m. (1300 GMT) to provide further details.

It is understood that Cronje is flying to Durban from Johannesburg along with his religious mentor Ray McCauley.

Board spokeswoman Bronwyn Wilkinson said that Cronje had himself offered to withdraw from the three matches, adding that he would not play in any of them.

A source within the South African cricket camp said it is understood that Cronje had admitted receiving money in India last month but he continued to deny he is involved in match-fixing.

Indian police levelled sensational match-fixing allegations last Friday against Cronje and three other team members following last month's one-day series there, which India won 3-2.

The captaincy for the one-day series against Australia will be taken over by vice-captain Shaun Pollock, Wilkinson said, adding that veteran all-rounder Dave Callaghan was being flown to Durban to replace Cronje in the squad.

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