My parents were getting divorced. I needed money for mom

TNN / Oct 14, 2006, 03:11 IST

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Gibbs insisted he didn't take any money even though he and two others had agreed to under-perform for a consideration of $15,000.

My parents were getting divorced. I needed money for mom

Herschelle Gibbs was questioned for three hours on Thursday by Delhi Police. He looked nervous, was hesitant, but insisted he didn't take any money even though he and two others had agreed to under-perform for a consideration of $15,000. TOI gives you extracts from the actual interrogation.
Q: In which game of India tour did the late Hansie Cronje approach you?
Herschelle Gibbs: In 1996 Hansie Cronje approached me while in Mumbai.An offer was made to the team of $ 200,000. Andrew Hudson and Symcox opposed the offer. Hence, the offer was rejected. I think it was to lose the game. I was in a Mumbai hotel a day before the match. Being my first tour, I didn't voice my opinion.
I agreed to score less runs. I know the wicket was very good. I was not short of money. I wanted to give the money to my mother for mortgage. I knew it was wrong. Probably I was very young and vulnerable and had more respect for the captain.

Gibbs counsel: Herschelle Gibbs never received any money.
HG: Henry Williams also accepted the offer. He was in the room with me. We were clear that it was wrong. Henry Williams was supposed to give more than 50 runs in 10 overs.
Q: You did not get an opportunity to get out?
HG: It was a good wicket and I stayed on it.
Q: What did Cronje tell you when you scored more than 20 runs?
HG: Hansie Cronje told me that you carry on batting. If anybody has to get out it will be him.

Q: Did Cronje speak to you to give away the game in lieu of some consideration for match played in Faridabad and what was the amount offered?
HG: In Faridabad never.
Q: As per conversation between Hansie and Sanjeev Chawla, Hansie asked Sanjeev Chawla for $25,000 each for three players. Did Hansie Cronje offer you this amount?.
HG: Cronje offered me $15,000 for scoring less than 20 runs in Nagpur.
Q: Did Cronje ask why did not you do as scripted?
HG: He never asked me. I asked him what to do now. He told me that you just carry on batting. I didn't get anything. The behaviour of Cronje never changed afterwards.
Q: You went on to defend Hansie Cronje before King Commission?
Gibbs counsel: He never defended. Before King Commission started, he testified. In fact, Gibbs spilled the beans.
HG: I was scared as I knew it was wrong.
Q: How many times you were approached to influence the outcome of the match?
HG: Only twice, once in the 1996 India tour and on March 19, 2000, during the India tour. I wasn't approached in Faridabad.
Q: Did you agree to accept the money and how much?
HG: I accepted the offer of $15,000 for scoring less than 20 runs by Hansie Cronje.
Q: As per video clipping of Nagpur and Kochi cricket matches, you tried to give away your wicket many times by reckless hitting, by keeping the ball in the air?
HG: I did good batting. It was my job (to bat well) and a good batsman can hit good balls.
Q: Is it true that you were in urgent need of money to pay off your mother's debt, and accordingly, you accepted the offer made to you by Hansie Cronje for playing below your capabilities?
HG: I was in need of money as my parents were getting divorced. My mother was not doing any job so I needed money to help her.
Q: Do you accept that Cronje largely fixed cricket matches played in India during year 2000 tour and you were party to it?
HG: I was not aware what was going on except what happened on March 19, 2000. It was more out of respect for Hansie Cronje for the relationship I had with him. Everybody respected Hansie Cronje. Now I am very sure of the illegality. I was vulnerable, probably because of age.
Q: During first one day international cricket match at Kochi on 9.3.2000, did you try to throw away your wicket several times; you gave three stumpings at your scores of 40, 49 & 62 and a catch at 68.
HG: No. I was playing my game and scored a century. No one motivated me to do so. There was no pressure.
Q: Did any Indian player ever approach you?
HG: We are not close to any one, but familiar to each other. All Indian team members are friends. No Indian player approached me.
Q: Was the spinner, D Crookes, also won over by Cronje to under-perform, as he dropped two catches of Indian batsman Jadeja, off Hayward, at scores 224/5 and 228/5, who (Jadeja) eventually ended up scoring 93 runs not out and thereby sealing Indian victory? Crookes also gave away 37 runs off his 5 overs.
HG: I have no knowledge if Crookes was won over. I recall the match very well as I scored 100.
Q: Did Cronje ever talk of Sanjiv Chawla?
HG: No
Q: During 1996, who spoke against the offer to lose the match at Mumbai?
HG: There were only Andrew Hudson and Symcox. No one complained and kept quiet. The amount discussed was $200,000.
Q: Were you shocked to hear the amounts? Ever enquire who is paying?
HG: Never asked. Cronje never mentioned the name of Sanjiv Chawla.
Q: Is it a fact that the offer was rejected because when this amount was divided by 15 the amount was not much?
HG: I am not sure.

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