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CENTURION A Play of Cricket
BY
Andrew Winfield
v.2 2016
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CHARACTERS AGES GIVEN ARE THOSE AT THE TIME OF THE CENTURION TEST MATCH IN 2000
WESSEL JOHANNES ‘HANSIE’ CRONJE SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET CAPTAIN – AGED 30
NASSER HUSSAIN ENGLAND CRICKET CAPTAIN – AGED 31
MARLON ARONSTAM SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSMAN, OWNER OF NATIONAL SPORTING INDEX – AGED MID 30’S
ALEC STEWART ENGLAND WICKETKEEPER AND FORMER CAPTAIN – AGED 36
DUNCAN FLETCHER ZIMBABWE-BORN ENGLAND CRICKET COACH – AGED 51
PHIL TUFNELL ENGLAND SPIN BOWLER – AGED 33
JACQUES KALLIS SOUTH AFRICAN ALL-ROUNDER – AGED 24
DARRYL CULLINAN SOUTH AFRICAN BATSMAN – AGED 32
MARK BOUCHER SOUTH AFRICAN WICKETKEEPER – AGED 23
ENGLISH COMMENTATOR
SOUTH AFRICAN COMMENTATOR
TV REPORTER
INTERVIEWER
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A Note on the Production
The play should be presented with as much fluidity as possible and as little set
as possible. There should be though, some symbolic representations of the
game of cricket, pertinent to the story. Throughout there should be a screen in
use which does not interfere with the action, when stills or moving footage
should be used. This should never interrupt or impact on the dialogue and can
be most effective at scene changes.
The Commentators, Interviewer and Reporter could either be live on stage or
as voice overs. The Commentators do not need to have actual footage from
the game on the screen as this may be difficult to acquire.
Sound effects throughout are not overly mentioned but will play an important
aspect of the production.
Music can be used carefully – but please avoid ‘Soul Limbo’.
The dates should be highlighted throughout – this is important to allow the
audience to follow the timeline of events.
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CENTURION
SCENE ONE – Centurion Park, Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa – 18 January
2000
The sounds of a cricket match, of crowds cheering, footage or still
photos on a screen.
ENG COMMENTATOR What seems so incredible is that the whole game appeared to be
petering out to a draw even by the end of the first day with the
wretched weather forecast. Then suddenly after three days lost to the
rain, we reach this situation. If anyone is just tuning in and haven’t
been glued to their radio, England need just two runs to win in the
last over in a game which has turned from the dull to the spectacular.
Hayward to bowl, Gough on strike. It’s short and Gough pulls it. They
won’t stop that. England have won an extraordinary game of cricket.
One which none of those playing or are here watching at Centurion
Park will ever forget.
This is what Test Cricket is about and although it is something of a
consolation win for England, it will give those who return home
tomorrow a rather more pleasant journey than they might have
otherwise expected. All credit to the South African Captain, Hansie
Cronje for displaying a level of sportsmanship which we have rarely
seen before.
SA COMMENTATOR The England players are exuberant which is hardly to be surprised at.
By contrast the South African boys look rather downcast. If you didn’t
know the result of the series, looking at the scenes here you would
assume that England had just completed a very comprehensive
whitewash over South Africa.
Let’s see what the two captains have to say.
Lights come up on a TV REPORTER and the England Cricket Captain,
NASSER HUSSAIN
REPORTER Nasser, congratulations on the win. Your thoughts please.
HUSSAIN It’s been a remarkable day. A result seemed impossible, so I have to
hand it to Hansie, his early declaration and the forfeiting of the
innings meant the inevitable draw became a really fantastic and
exciting match. Up until the last over it could have been anyone’s. I
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just want to thank my team. It’s a young team and getting a win in
South Africa is such an achievement and will give us all a real boost.
After a disappointing tour, we hope that we have been able to reward
our many supporters who have travelled with us for their patience.
REPORTER Thank you Nasser
HUSSAIN leaves, shaking hands with HANSIE CRONJE who comes
towards the REPORTER
REPORTER Hansie, I am sure you and the boys will be disappointed at losing the
match, but at the start of the day, there was really only likely to be
one outcome.
CRONJE Look the series was done and dusted as far as we were concerned.
There were 22 players sitting about for 3 days not being able to play
the game they love. It seemed to me only sensible to give them and
the supporters a match rather than something unexciting and,
ultimately, pointless. I think we have used the rules for the good of
the game. Cricket is the real winner here.
REPORTER Well, that’s as may be, but you made the gesture which can only be
regarded as incredibly sporting.
CRONJE It’s been a good series for us and losing today does nothing to reduce
the impact of our overall win. I should like to thank my team for the
spirited way in which they have played to ensure the public who paid
money to see good cricket, did just that.
REPORTER Thank you Hansie
CRONJE leaves
REPORTER I think we can only re-iterate the words of Hansie Cronje, when we
say that following such an act of pure sportsmanship, the real winner
today, is the game of cricket.
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SCENE TWO – A Hotel Room – 17 January 2000
CRONJE is lying on a couch in a hotel room. A cell phone rings.
CRONJE looks at the number and then answers it. MARLON
ARONSTAM could just be a voice at this point or be seen on his
phone elsewhere on stage.
CRONJE Hello?
ARONSTAM Mr Cronje?
CRONJE Yes
ARONSTAM Hansie Cronje?
CRONJE Who is this?
ARONSTAM My name is Marlon Aronstam
CRONJE Where did you get my cellphone number?
ARONSTAM Mr Cronje, or do you mind me calling you Hansie? I am involved with
a company called NSI and I am a very keen cricket lover. I follow it all
over the world. It is a shame that the Centurion Test Match looks like
reaching a stalemate.
CRONJE Yes, well, we cannot control the weather. Look what do you want?
ARONSTAM Indeed we might not be able to control the weather Hansie, but we
do have a certain influence on the game. We might even have some
influence on the outcome.
CRONJE What do you mean?
ARONSTAM Come on Hansie. I just want to see a result to the game, it would
make the series reach a really exciting conclusion. You’ve still won it.
England cannot win the series. You have that in the bag. You might be
able to win even more convincingly. As it is at the moment, it is
destined for a boring draw which nobody wants.
CRONJE What are you suggesting?
ARONSTAM I won’t beat about the bush Hansie. I am a betting man, and I think
the odds on there being a positive result at the moment would be
very favourable to even the smallest wager.
A silence
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A strategic declaration maybe. Forfeit an innings each side. Could be
exciting.
A silence
Hansie, let’s make it a little bit more worthwhile. If we can set this up,
how about I make a donation of R500 000 to a charity of your choice?
A silence
And a little present for you as well.
A silence
Come on Hansie, a gesture such as this could only enhance your
reputation. South African cricket isn’t known for taking risks, all very
safe and, dare I say it dull. I know that is a motif which has often been
attached to you, and I for one don’t believe it. Put a bit of zest into
South African cricket and see the applause you get for it.
CRONJE I will think about it.
ARONSTAM How about we have a quick talk about this face to face? I can be at
your hotel in a couple of hours.
CRONJE Well…
ARONSTAM I won’t take up too much of your time and I really would like to meet
you!
CRONJE I’m at the….
ARONSTAM I know where you are. I’ll call you when I am in reception. See you
later.
CRONJE turns off his phone
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SCENE THREE
CRONJE in a light
CRONJE We had been playing a match in Durban and in order to get home well
in time for a special Christening the next day, I decided to drive back
to Bloemfontein myself. I was joined by Roger Brown.
We left Durban about 4.30pm and after about an hour and a half and
with the light beginning to fade, we found ourselves passing a taxi. In
that moment a little girl ran into the road. We hit her.
By the time we reached her body, she was dead.
At the Christening the next day I wept throughout the service. Here
was I celebrating a new young life when the night before I had
extinguished one.
I couldn’t cope with anything.
Soon after the terrible events, Bertha found that she had a re-
awakening of her religious beliefs. Through her I realised that having a
personal relationship with Christ was so important and necessary to
me. From that moment I committed my life to Him.
In myself I became a calmer, more peaceful and free person. Free in
the knowledge that I had been reborn as a child of God.
I had and still have a very firm belief that I really do have a Saviour in
Jesus Christ. Through Him I will have a loving relationship with God on
this Earth and will look forward to spending an eternity with Him in
Heaven.
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SCENE FOUR - CRONJE’s Hotel Room – 17 January 2000
A knock at the door. CRONJE answers it to ARONSTAM
ARONSTAM Hansie. Marlon Aronstam. It’s good to meet you, a real honour. Thank
you for seeing me at such short notice. I think you’ll agree though that
should this idea go ahead then time is very much of the essence.
CRONJE Yes of course. Well, we can’t put a halt to the inevitable I suppose.
ARONSTAM I’ve really enjoyed this series. Always good to see the English take a
hiding. As a fan, it’s always a terrible disappointment to end a series
with a washout.
CRONJE It’s the same for us. We hate the memory of a dull final day.
ARONSTAM Forgive me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe that a team have ever
forfeited an innings in the pursuit of a result in test cricket.
CRONJE I can’t recall one.
ARONSTAM But you will recall many matches which have ended the way we are
heading at Centurion.
CRONJE Of course.
ARONSTAM I just love cricket you know. It’s the perfect game. It has everything;
precision, pace, strategy, elegance, tactics, skill, luck, intelligence. All
in far greater quantity than any other game on earth.
CRONJE I agree.
ARONSTAM You know there is so much money flying around in cricket today. On
there might not be in South Africa - we may only be talking about the
odd few thousand dollars – but you go to the Subcontinent. Oh
Hansie, we are talking big money. There are maybe a couple of
thousand individuals who will look at placing bets in the hundreds of
thousands on one result. The risk big money and get rewarded
likewise. Big money Hansie.
CRONJE I am aware of it. I have had offers.
ARONSTAM I am no surprised. In fact I would have been surprised if you hadn’t
been approached. The betting world in India and Pakistan is
substantial.
CRONJE I was offered something like 10,000 US dollars in 1995 to influence
the results of a match.
ARONSTAM And?
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CRONJE I didn’t have to consider it for too long before turning I down. I wasn’t
long before I was aware of similar offers made to me and other
international players.
ARONSTAM These are businessmen. They play the markets. Cricket is a market like
any other and they just have to make sure that they are one step
ahead all the time.
CRONJE I never took up any of the offers. I never threw a game.
ARONSTAM And I am not asking you to do that now. What I want to suggest is that
you do something which has a really positive effect on the game.
Cricket needs excitement. It needs to capture the imagination of the
people.
CRONJE Maybe.
ARONSTAM And you need to arrest those accusations of you being boring and
unadventurous. Endear yourself to the public. It might help them
overlook your poor form.
CRONJE You follow the game closely.
ARONSTAM All the time Hansie. I am an addict. I have been all over India watching
matches and getting to understand how the gambling world works
there. I tell you Hansie it’s a bit of a circus. It’s mad. But by hell it is a
lucrative market if you get it right. I have learned to get it right.
CRONJE I am sure.
ARONSTAM And I know you are rather partial to some of the finer things in life
aren’t you? Quite fond of a little extra cash in your pocket? I can help.
CRONJE But the risk..
ARONSTAM That’s just it. There isn’t one. You haven’t got to do anything but help
ensure there isn’t a draw. Which is the conclusion to the game that
everyone wants to see. You risk nothing. You play to win.
CRONJE I always play to win.
ARONSTAM There you are then. You will be doing nothing different. Exactly what
your country and your team-mates will expect of you. All I am looking
for here is to make tomorrow a contest. Let’s get cricket on the front
pages because a phoenix has risen from the ashes. Now I realise his
isn’t something you can do by yourself. I know that Nasser Hussain is
also staying at this hotel. What say you call his room and get him to
join us and then we could have the whole thing sewn up by the
morning
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CRONJE No. No. I don’t want him involved at this point. I can make all the
contact I need with him later.
ARONSTAM But it would make it so much easier…
CRONJE No, No.
ARONSTAM Ok. Ok. It’s ok.
CRONJE I just think the fewer people who know about our discussion the
better.
ARONSTAM Maybe, but at the end of the day we are just looking for a result. I’m
not asking for you to throw the game or to influence the result in any
way other than help ensure we have a really exciting day’s cricket.
CRONJE Yes, I know. It’s ok.
ARONSTAM And in the name of charity. R500 000 is a large sum of money.
CRONJE It is and you are very generous.
ARONSTAM And I am sure that a little gift to you wouldn’t be something you
would dismiss.
A silence
Look, give me a call in the morning when you have had a chance to
speak with the people you need to. Let me know if and when you are
likely to declare and we can set the ball rolling.
CRONJE I’ll speak to the players first thing tomorrow. Gauge their reaction and
let you know my progress.
ARONSTAM Good man. Forecast is good. Should get a full day in. Take it down the
wire eh? Thank you for seeing me. A truly great South African. A real
pleasure. We’ll talk in the morning,
CRONJE Good night.
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SCENE FOUR – Centurion Park – 18 January 2000
REPORTER The weather looks fair for today, remarkably it looks like there will be
some play today with only one realistic result in prospect. I suspect
that the supporters who are here will have a curtailed day with the
game petering out into the inevitable draw some time after tea.
The South African Dressing Room
CRONJE in discussion with JACQUE KALLIS
CRONJE Look Jacques, we have the possibility of winning the game. Let’s make
something of it.
KALLIS Hansie, I think I speak for most of the guys when I say that we would
rather keep going and have some batting practice and ensure the
series ends up 2-0.
HANSIE But wouldn’t 3-0 be even better? There is a real chance. Think of what
our supporters and the press would say if we won!
KALLIS And think what they will say if we lose. We are not comfortable with
an early declaration Hansie. It might be a disaster. After all this rain I
don’t think any of us could be sure how the pitch will play.
CRONJE I’m not going to risk the match Jacques, but isn’t it worth a game
rather than playing out a boring draw in public, knowing you could
make it something special?
KALLIS It is your decision of course. You are the captain and we’ll do
whatever you decide.
CRONJE Well it’s not all in my hands, Let’s see what Hussain thinks.
KALLIS You need a discussion with him?
CRONJE If we are going to forfeit an innings I think I will have to tell him in
advance, if he won’t do the same then it’s a no go. I think it’s an
utterly pointless otherwise. I guess the umpires and referee will have
to be in on it too.
KALLIS You make it sound like some kind of conspiracy.
CRONJE (laughing) Don’t be silly Jacques and don’t be so sensitive.
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KALLIS You will have to try and persuade them then. Not everyone, but some
are very much against it. You have always taken your team with you
Hansie, why got out on a limb now when you don’t have to? We will
all sleep just as well tonight if we just play out a draw.
CRONJE But won’t we sleep much better having put the good of the game
first? Look Jacques, I will be honest with you. I have always put the
interests of the team above my personal interests. You know that.
KALLIS We all know that and respect you for it.
CRONJE Then you will agree that at the moment I am going through a really
bad patch with the bat. Anything that can deflect attention away from
that part of my game will help not only with my morale but with the
morale of the team and the country.
KALLIS I know what you’re saying and I feel for you. I’m just not so sure this is
the best way of going about it. Have you spoken to Polly?
CRONJE Not by himself. Not yet.
KALLIS Well I am not sure what his thoughts are. Not unlike mine I think.
CRONJE I have the best for all of us at heart. Trust me, it will be fine. We can
win this and I know that we can come out smiling! You included!
KALLIS exits
CRONJE texts a message on his phone – the text appears on the
screen
MESSAGE BE PATIENT. WORKING ON IT. POSSIBLE GAME.
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SCENE FIVE – The England Dressing Room – 18 January 2000
ALEC STEWART enters. HUSSAIN is reading a newspaper.
STEWART I’ve just had an extraordinary conversation with Hansie.
HUSSAIN And?
STEWART He wants to make a game of today.
HUSSAIN How?
STEWART We forfeit an inning each and he sets us a target to chase which we
agree to.
HUSSAIN Bollocks
STEWART He seemed perfectly serious.
HUSSAIN This isn’t some old county game from yesterday. This isn’t Fletcher
and Nicholas sitting down and having a big old debate about targets.
This is Test cricket. You don’t mess around with Test cricket.
STEWART Well, that’s what he said.
HUSSAIN He was pulling your leg Stewie.
STEWART He wasn’t. Promise you. He just stopped me on the steps outside.
HUSSAIN Hmmmm
STEWART Would we be happy with something like 270 in 73.
HUSSAIN Did you laugh?
STEWART I told him it was too high.
HUSSAIN What did he say to that?
STEWART Nothing. He just smiled and carried on his way.
HUSSAIN And that’ll be the last we hear of it then. Anyway, at the moment we
can’t even field a fully fit team. Goughie’s back there throwing his
guts up after his all-nighter. He’s not exactly covering himself in glory.
If and when we do get out there he’s going to work his fucking
backside off.
STEWART Like most of us I don’t think he was expecting to play.
HUSSAIN Maybe. Anyway, why would we risk going down 3-0? Cronje knows
we’ve been stuffed on this tour. My first tour as Captain? The press
would have a field day. It’s not exactly the greatest track in the world
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judging by what play we’ve had. After the last few days I bet it won’t
sustain much of a run chase.
STEWART Don’t shoot the messenger.
Knock at the door. CRONJE appears
CRONJE Nasser. Are you good?
HUSSAIN Fine thanks Hansie. Come in.
CRONJE Thanks. Did Alec mention what we chatted about earlier?
HUSSAIN He did. Were you being serious?
CRONJE Completely. If we just go out and continue the game as it is, within an
hour both we and the crowds will be bored out of their brains. I just
thought we could provide a little entertainment for everyone.
HUSSAIN I don’t think Fletch will wear it, and, to be honest, no one knows what
that pitch will be like after three days under the covers. Added to that
I would be put in dock if I lose the series 3-0. The current situation is
bad enough.
CRONJE Could be a good risk to take!
HUSSAIN I’m not a risk taker really. Nor is Fletch. Nor are you for that matter!
CRONJE So, it’s a no go you think? We’ll just play out a draw?
HUSSAIN Looks like it I’m afraid. I know you’re thinking of the spectacle. I have
more than half an eye on my career. Sorry Hansie.
CRONJE Can I make another offer?
HUSSAIN Look I’m sorry Hansie. I can’t barter on this matter.
CRONJE It’s ok. Your call. I’ll see you later.
CRONJE leaves
HUSSAIN What do you think?
STEWART Looks like he is willing to make an even more generous offer.
HUSSAIN (after a pause) I’ll talk to Fletch, but I don’t think he’ll like it any more
than I do. But I’ll put it to him.
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SCENE SIX
Sound of a ringing tone and a voicemail of a mobile phone.
MESSAGE This is the voicemail of Marlon Aronstam. Please leave your message
after the tone.
Tone sound
CRONJE Marlon, it’s Hansie Cronje. I’m afraid there won’t be a declaration.
The England team and management don’t want to play the game.
Phone rings off
SCENE SEVEN - The England Dressing Room – 18 January 2000
HUSSAIN pacing. DUNCAN FLETCHER enters.
HUSSAIN Well?
FLETCHER I’ve spoken to the umpires and the referee.
HUSSAIN And?
FLETCHER Eyebrows were raised I can tell you, but they understand the conceit
behind the idea.
HUSSAIN Mmmm
FLETCHER Ali Bacher is very keen to have the game to go ahead as a spectacle.
He has an eye on being able to give the press a good positive story
about South African cricket. A nice write up in the Sunday Times
would create a feel-good factor all round.
HUSSAIN Well it would be good if our Sunday Times did the same. I just don’t
want to lose.
FLETCHER Neither do I! But the problem they have immediately brought up is
that the rules do not allow for the forfeiture of an innings in Test
Cricket. Never happened before.
HUSSAIN Mmmm So that’s that then.
FLETCHER Not quite. I called Tim Lamb and he just got back to me. If you and
Cronje both declare an innings on 0-0 then that is ok.
HUSSAIN What’s the difference.
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FLETCHER None really, but as we mentioned before, we can’t make it look like a
one-day international – which is what a forfeiture would do – this way
it at least preserves the veneer that it’s a fully played out test.
HUSSAIN So what do you think?
FLETCHER I think it really depends on the state of the pitch and any target which
is offered and you won’t know that until you get out in the middle and
see for yourself. I can only give my thoughts. You have the final say.
HUSSAIN Thanks Fletch.
FLETCHER For what it’s worth, my instinct would be that if the target is very
reasonable, maybe around 250, then I think the guys will want to go
for it. If there is any chance of winning against South Africa on this
tour, this might be the only one. It would certainly make for an
interesting day of cricket.
HUSSAIN I can’t make up my mind.
FLETCHER Don’t. Not yet. You’re under absolutely no pressure. See how they get
on in the first hour. Cronje may still be willing to go for something
then. You’re canny enough to have made a decision by then.
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SCENE EIGHT – Centurion Park – 18 January 2000
COMMENTATOR Well I don’t think that many of us expected too much out of today,
but the batsmen are certainly going to get the chance to put in some
good practice out there.
COMMENTATOR It looks an absolute belter and they are scoring well. With the
Triangular Tournament just around the corner the South African
batsmen are going to take their chances out there. Wonderful
conditions.
COMMENTATOR It’s always a bit of a lottery when a pitch is used after a long time
under covers. No one quite knows how it will react. This one seems to
have changed considerably. The South African batsmen further up the
order had their struggles, but this is a rather more compliant
customer.
COMMENTATOR And the England Captain, Nasser Hussain, is already leaving the field. I
think he has just been excused by the umpire. Maybe he has to spend
a penny.
COMMENTATOR You should have gone before you came out Nasser! It’s only been 45
minutes.
Laughter
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SCENE NINE - THE Physiotherapist Room – 18 January 2000
PHIL TUFNELL is asleep on a physio bench. HUSSAIN enters
HUSSAIN I thought I would find you here.
TUFNELL Oh hello Skip. I was just catching a few Z’s.
HUSSAIN I want you to come with me in a moment.
TUFNELL Shouldn’t you be out in the middle?
HUSSAIN I’m going to the loo. Listen. I haven’t got long, so I want you to come
and see Hansie with me.
TUFNELL Lunch invitation?
HUSSAIN He’s offering an early declaration. Then if we both forfeit an innings
he’ll set us a chaseable target.
TUFNELL What? Nah!
HUSSAIN Yes. But it depends on what he wants to set. It’s playing dead flat out
there.
TUFNELL What do you want me to do or say?
HUSSAIN Nothing really. Just come and hear what he has to say. Then we’ll talk.
TUFNELL What target has he got in mind?
HUSSAIN I don’t know now.
TUFNELL I mean it’s got to be realistic or we’ll look right knobs.
HUSSAIN I reckon, having seen how things are, he’ll be looking at 300 or even
something like 320. Quite honestly that would be too much.
TUFNELL What are you thinking Skip?
HUSSAIN Maybe 280. But even that may be a push. Come on Tuffers, let’s see
what he says.
Fade into next scene – CRONJE is waiting.
CRONJE Had time to think?
HUSSAIN Yeah, I have.
CRONJE Good.
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HUSSAIN I’m not sure what kind of figure you had in mind. What about 250? In
70 or so.
CRONJE Fine
Silence
HUSSAIN Sure?
CRONJE Yes that’s fine Nasser.
HUSSAIN Right. Well err…
CRONJE Excellent. You’d better get back out there, we’re well on our way to
the total!
HUSSAIN Ok. Thanks. We’ll await your declaration.
CRONJE leaves
Silence
TUFNELL Nass, is it me or was that just a bit weird?
HUSSAIN Maybe.
TUFNELL Seems to me you could have asked for less than that and he’s have
snapped your hand off.
HUSSAIN You think I should have gone for lower.
TUFNELL Oh mate. What do I know about this kind of thing? Just odd. That’s all.
Very odd.
HUSSAIN Maybe I’ve missed a trick.
TUFNELL 250 is perfectly possible. Certainly in 70 odd. It’s very attractive. Very
generous. We should win from that I would hope. At least you won’t
have to rely on my cover drive to score the winning runs.
HUSSAIN We’re in the box seat?
TUFNELL If he declares when he says he will. Definitely Skip.
HUSSAIN Then why did he agree to it?
TUFNELL Supreme faith in Pollock and Kallis I suppose.
HUSSAIN Maybe. (He suddenly breaks from thoughtfulness into action) But
he’s right. I must get back out there. Go and tell Fletch. See you later.
HUSSAIN leaves
TUFNELL (lighting a cigarette) Funny old game.
Fade to black
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TEXT MESSAGE FROM CRONJE TO ARONSTAM
MESSAGE WE HAVE A GAME
SCENE TEN – Centurion Park – 18 January 2000
COMMENTATOR Well I think that has taken most people by surprise. An early
declaration by Hansie Cronje with the score on 248 for 8. And we are
also just hearing that England have declared their first innings on 0 for
0 and that South Africa have declared their second innings on 0 for 0.
Three declarations in a matter of minutes and we have a game on.
This is quite extraordinary. Just to recap, the South Africans have
declared on 248 for 8 with Klusener not out on 61. The next two
innings have been forfeited and so England have been effectively
being set a target of 249 in 76 overs to win this 5th Test Match here at
Centurion. Well, well, well. This is a very gettable target – just 3.28
runs an over which can only be seen as an incredibly generous
declaration by the South African Captain. The game is transformed
from what we all thought would be a long drawn out draw to a real
match. If you are nearby and want to see an exciting run chase then I
should drop everything and get to Centurion Park right away.
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SCENE ELEVEN - The South African dressing room.
MARK BOUCHER, JACQUES KALLIS & DARRYL CULLINAN sit in silence.
There are very many silences between speeches
BOUCHER What just happened out there?
KALLIS You explain it to me.
CULLINAN Listen to them next door. Anyone would think they had won the
world cup.
KALLIS While we are here with a series victory feeling as if someone has just
died.
CULLINAN That was never going to be a target we could defend with ease.
BOUCHER Why didn’t he delay the declaration?
CULLINAN It was just so unlike him. Careful Cronje. Never gives anything away.
KALLIS It’s the South African way.
BOUCHER Well, it’s disappointing to end like this. Why did he bowl himself?
KALLIS Who knows. Strydom hardly helped.
CULLINAN I’ve known him for 15 years and played under him for the last seven
and this is the first time I have seen this side of him. Well I don’t know
about you guys, but I am puzzled. Really puzzled. And not a bit fucked
off.
BOUCHER I thought it was a bit odd when Hussain came up to me and
questioned why I was knocking it about a bit. He said something like
we were only meant to get a certain total. Next minute when I played
a safe shot I was out!
CULLINAN Alright, he made an exciting game of it. The public will love him for
putting on a spectacle.
BOUCHER It was exciting.
KALLIS Yes, it was, if you think about it as a game it was one of the most
exciting I can remember. But doesn’t it leave you with a real hollow
feeling?
CULLINAN It’s just so out of character for the man I know.
KALLIS Agree. I told him this morning I wasn’t happy. That most of us
weren’t. He said he wanted to give South African cricket a boost.
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CULLINAN Do we need it?
KALLIS He said he was worried about his form and that a victory here would
help divert attention from it. He wanted to hear positive vibes about
us all.
BOUCHER You heard the cheers he got.
CULLINAN Maybe it worked.
KALLIS Maybe it did. But why do I feel as if we have somehow committed an
act of betrayal.
BOUCHER Come on Jacques.
KALLIS (with rising anger) No, don’t That’s how I feel ok? I am not happy and
I can’t stand listening to that. I’m going for a walk. I won’t know what
to say when he comes in here and I don’t really want to be here when
he does.
KALLIS storms out as the lights fade
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SCENE TWELVE – Centurion Park – 18 January 2000
COMMENTATOR So with the post-match ceremonies all completed and Michael
Vaughan being awarded Man of the Match, I think we can finally draw
breath on what has been one of the best adverts for cricket that I can
ever remember seeing. The sheer delight of the England players when
they won will stay long in the mind. It could only have happened with
the generosity and unselfish sportsmanship of the South African
Captain. Hansie Cronje we salute you and thank you for what you
have done for the game of cricket today.
SCENE THIRTEEN – Hotel Restaurant – 19 January 2000
ARONSTAM at the breakfast table. CRONJE enters. There is a big
smile on his face.
ARONSTAM Well Mr Cronje. Come have some breakfast. What about it eh?
CRONJE Incredible day. That adrenaline was like nothing else. It got so intense
and that was off the field, let alone what was happening on!
ARONSTAM Brilliant day of cricket. Down to the last over we didn’t know who
would win. Did you hear that ovation for you? They love you Hansie.
‘Gallant loser’ was that what the TV man called you? I bet you haven’t
been called that before. Better than ‘dull’ eh?
CRONJE You’re right. England played well though. Couldn’t have done it if
Nasser hadn’t wanted to get involved. Pity to lose though.
ARONSTAM Look it was a great game of cricket. The result was immaterial unless
we had us a draw. A draw that everyone was expecting, except for us.
CRONJE I even got Pieter Strydom to try and put a small bet on the Proteas to
win. Not sure he was able to in time. Did you get anything out of it?
ARONSTAM Oh a little. Others will have done well thank you very much. But the
betting channels weren’t all open when I wanted them. Anyway, it
doesn’t matter. Just goes to show what’s possible doesn’t it?
CRONJE It does.
ARONSTAM Well I said there would be something in it for you. So here you are. A
nice piece of clothing for your wife. Valentine’s Day is just around the
corner. (He hands over a smart bag in which is a leather jacket which
CRONJE takes out and admires)
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CRONJE Goodness, that’s lovely. Bertha will be delighted.
ARONSTAM It’s a good one. Here. (he hands over 2 brown paper packages)
ARONSTAM R50,000. See it as a down payment.
CRONJE On what?
ARONSTAM A little information. Maybe during the Triangular Tournament. Give
me a heads up on pitch conditions and leave the rest to me.
CRONJE Nothing else?
ARONSTAM Not at the moment. Just information. Enjoy the money. You can take
Bertha somewhere nice.
CRONJE Thank you. Thank you very much.
ARONSTAM That’s ok.
CRONJE How else can I make money?
ARONSTAM The ball is in your court.
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SCENE FOURTEEN – 8 April 2000
NEWS REPORT And the news on this the 8 April 2000 is dominated by the news that
the much respected South African cricket captain, Hansie Cronje, has
been accused of match fixing by police in India. On-going
investigations have uncovered a taped conversation apparently
indicates that Cronje was involved in such dealings with two Indian
businessmen. The investigators in New Delhi say they were led to
Cronje following a tip-off.
It appears that three other members of the Indian team, Herschelle
Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom were also involved in some
capacity.
The United Cricket Board of South Africa have strongly denied the
allegations and Cronje issued a statement last night which said
CRONJE I am stunned. The allegations are completely without substance. I
have been privileged to play for South Africa since 1992 and I want to
assure every South African that I have made a 100% effort to win
every match that I have played. I has been an honour to play for South
Africa and I would never do anything to let my country down.
NEWSREADER Charges of criminal conspiracy have been levelled at all four players in
connection with five one-day matches played during the South
Africans’ tour of India from March 9-19. India won the series 3-2
Fade to simulate passage of time
NEWSREADER More news on the Hansie Cronje affair. Authorities say they are now
looking at events going back as far as 1995. They have also confirmed
that the controversial final test against England in Centurion will also
form a part of their inquiry.
This was the rain affected match where both sides forfeited an innings
in order to force a result. England eventually won the match by two
wickets with five balls to spare.
UCBSA Communications Director, Brownwyn Wilkinson, confirmed
that Cronje’s role in that match would be probed by a judicial
commission which is to be set up shortly. All aspects of the game
would be looked at including the fact that it was Cronje’s suggestion
that both captains should forfeit an innings to avoid a draw.
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SCENE FIFTEEN - THE KING COMMISSION – 15 June 2000
CRONJE is dressed smartly and sits behind a table. He reads his
statement.
CRONJE It is time for me to try to repay a part of the enormous debt that I owe
to cricket and to try and repair some of the damage which I have
caused the game, South Africa, my family and team-mates and the
cricketing public.
My denials of involvement made publicly and to the UCB were
untruthful in a number of respects; and so too was the subsequent
press statement issued on my instructions. I misled the United Cricket
Board of South Africa and members of the South African Government
and those who tried to defend me. I also withheld facts from my legal
representatives, I was not honest and apologise unreservedly.
I have also decided to sever my connections with the game and I will
not play cricket again at a representative level.
Words cannot begin to describe the shame, humiliation and pain I
feel, in the knowledge that I have afflicted this on others. To my wife,
family and team-mates in particular, I apologise.
The greatest honour that can be bestowed on any cricketer is to lead
his country’s national side. I have failed in my moral and professional
duties. Hopefully, I can contribute some small measure of redress by
placing before the Commission the information that follows in this
statement. Until now I have not named or implicated any other
person, and I fear that the revelations in this statement may create
serious implications for my personal safety. I have already received
death threats.
I wish to disclose all the information I have and, in the emotional state
in which I find myself, have dredged my memory as best I can in order
to put the facts before the Commission.
Since the first revelations made in the Indian press and, in particular,
the morning of 11 April of this year, I have known that my days as a
cricketer are over. There were however others – namely Herschelle
Gibbs, Pieter Strydom and Henry Williams – who have their playing
careers before them and whose futures have been imperilled by my
inexcusable actions. Foolishly, I tried to suppress disclosure of their
involvement and, in doing so, encouraged Herschelle Gibbs and Henry
Williams to conceal their role. I hoped to save them from the
predicament in which I had placed them: instead I compromised them
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and worsened their position. It would be a tragedy if any of these
players were to be lost to South African cricket because of my
wrongdoing. I beg the Commission and the cricketing authorities not
to deprive the game of their talents and beg the UCB to reinstate both
Herschelle and Henry to the national squad. Herschelle lied to the
UCB, his employer, at my request. Herschelle, forgive me.
I will begin my statement with events which go back to the Mandela
Cup in 1995.
Fade to indicate a passage of time
To conclude on the Centurion Test against England. I should never
have entertained the discussion with Marlon Aronstam and I was
wrong to have accepted anything from him. It has only served to
discredit what I believed was recognised as a good move for cricket. I
was not asked by Marlon or anybody else to throw, lose or otherwise
fix any results or performances in the Centurion Test. The declaration
was a genuine attempt to save the game as a spectacle, which was
agreed by both teams. I was also anxious because of my bad form, to
have the opportunity to gain public support. I truly believed we could
win, given the declaration, and requested Pieter Strydom to try and
place R50 on South Africa to win. He was unable to do so. The match
delivered a genuine result and was in no way manipulated but that, of
course, does not justify my conduct.
Fade to indicate a passage of time
I hope that my experience will serve as a lesson to all other cricket
players and administrators. My only consolation is the knowledge that
despite my inexcusable behaviour, South Africa has in fact never
thrown or fixed a match.
As long as there is gambling on sports events – legal or otherwise –
players will continue to be approached, pressured and tempted. I was
wrong in succumbing and worse, I encouraged others to be drawn in
and try to cover up.
Players need to be properly briefed and prepared about the risks and
problems, so that they can deal with the inevitable approached which
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they will receive and the cricketing authorities need to impose
management procedures to try and address the problem.
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SCENE SIXTEEN – An office at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London – June 2000
HUSSAIN and FLETCHER are in a meeting.
HUSSAIN Was I taken for a mug Fletch? Am I that stupid that I didn’t see this
one?
FLETCHER No one saw it. I didn’t. Bob Woolmer didn’t. Nor did the umpires or
referee. Let alone any of the players.
HUSSAIN Tuffers did.
FLETCHER Give over.
HUSSAIN Well he certainly had his suspicions. Athers too. But not Cronje. Not
Hansie Cronje.
FLETCHER It’s so deep. It’s so widespread it’s frightening. Centurion was only on
a really minor scale compared with what else came out at the King
Commission.
HUSSAIN All that hassle for five grand and a leather jacket.
FLETCHER People have done worse things for less.
HUSSAIN You grow up watching and learning from others in this game. Cronje
was a captain I really admired, like Fleming and Taylor. I studied their
work before I got the job. I learned a lot.
FLETCHER He was a brilliant captain. But you don’t want to learn all his tricks. It
was the tip of the iceberg Nasser. And I don’t for one minute believe
we’ve heard the last of it all.
HUSSAIN I was so proud of that day. That thrilling and exhausting day.
Unimaginable tension and excitement. I’ll never feel that again.
Never! It’s ruined.
FLETCHER You’ll get over it. We all will. Eventually.
HUSSAIN Not sure I will actually. Not really. Whenever I visit that ground or
hear someone talking about it, it will leave a not in my stomach. I
even feel ashamed that I ever agreed to anything. I was so naïve.
FLETCHER You don’t get banned from the game and face an inquiry for naivety.
As I say, you will get over it. Time is a good healer.
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SCENE SEVENTEEN – 1 June 2002
NEWSREADER It’s 1 June 2002 and welcome to this news report.
The former South African Cricket Captain Hansie Cronje has been
killed in a plane crash near to his home in South Africa. He was 32.
It is just over two years since his involvement in the match-fixing
scandal saw him stripped if the captaincy of his country and a ban
from playing the game at a representative level for life.
Mr Cronje had been travelling from Johannesburg to George when the
Hawker Siddeley Turboprop, in which he was he only passenger,
crashed into the Outeniqua Mountains in thick low cloud. His original
scheduled flight had been grounded.
The two pilots and Cronje were killed instantly.
He leaves a wife, Bertha. The couple had no children.
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SCENE EIGHTEEN – A Hotel Room
An English REPORTER is interviewing ARONSTAM
INTERVIEWER In your meetings with Hansie Cronje, what do you think he liked
more, money or cricket?
ARONSTAM Oh cricket. He loved cricket. I think he only saw money as a nice
bonus. We all have to have money. The world cannot exist without
money. He was an exceptional captain of his country and a brilliant
batsman. But it was cricket all the way with him?
INTERVIEWER After all that has gone on, what are your feelings about the whole
matter?
ARONSTAM Honestly? I wish I had never contacted him. I wish our meeting had
never taken place back at his hotel that night. It brought me a lot of
aggravation. Oh it brought some very exciting times too, I won’t deny
it. But it would have been better if it hadn’t happened.
INTERVIEWER Do you feel any guilt?
ARONSTAM No. Simply because I don’t think I did anything wrong.
INTERVIEWER The donation to charity which you put to Hansie Cronje was never
paid out was it.
ARONSTAM The donation would have been made in hindsight if the betting
channels had been open on the morning of the game. I had told
people they would be able to make a lot of money. But that wasn’t
possible. Bookmakers are not stupid. You don’t get charity from
bookmakers.
INTERVIEWER But a donation didn’t go to charity.
ARONSTAM There was no donation to charity.
INTERVIEWER And Hansie Cronje got R500 000 and a leather jacket.
ARONSTAM Yes, Hansie for R500 000 and a leather jacket.
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SCENE NINETEEN – 2016
HUSSAIN in a light
HUSSAIN The news of Hansie Cronje’s death just over two years after the
Centurion Test made the whole extraordinary experience even more
surreal.
It was desperately sad for his family and friends.
But with the passage of time and looking back on it now, I am still
annoyed by the events. That someone could so taint the game that
many millions love, seemingly just for a few extra bucks.
English fair play is a mantra we like to wheel out occasionally and by
and large people play to those principles. Manipulation of results,
even to make a game of things should never be give house room.
I am still annoyed. I am still annoyed for the fans who followed us so
faithfully and thought they had seen a wonderful match, but had been
cheated.
I still have a bitter taste in my mouth.
There have been many conspiracy stories about Hansie Cronje’s
death. That his dealings with the gambling underworld made him
enemies and that his exposure had risked the dealings of others. That
he had been killed by those shadowy figures who had corrupted him
in the first place.
Far-fetched and unlikely?
Probably. But with the benefit of hindsight and the facts as we know
them, it is difficult not to rule them out.
We will never know. But what happened on that day at Centurion
Park. It just wasn’t cricket.
Light out on HUSSAIN
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The following words appear on the screen.
Following the King Commission and the revelations both it and the
various police forces uncovered, an anti-corruption unit was set up by
the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It has not cleared the game of corruption, but there are more
warnings to players about illegal practices and more eyes and ears
monitoring possible participation in them.
The South African National Anthem is heard with a closing
photograph of the real HANSIE CRONJE
©PAUL SMITH 2016
