Mixed reaction to bans on Gibbs and Williams

Reaction to the six-month bans imposed on South African players Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams on Monday ranged from condemnation of the sentences as being too harsh or too lenient to outright relief.

Gibbs and Williams were banned until the end of this year for agreeing to an offer from Hansie Cronje to underperform in a one-day international in New Zealand. Neither player followed through with the arrangement. In addition to the bans, Gibbs was fined R60 000 and Williams R10 000.

Although Gibbs adopted a conciliatory and remorseful tone in a prepared statement issued after hearing his sentence - "I can but once again apologise to the South African public in general and in particular to my team-mates, the United Cricket Board and it's managing director Ali Bacher." - his father Herman took a somewhat different tack in Tuesday's Cape Times.

Gibbs Senior is quoted as describing the sentences as "bullshit - the boys have suffered enough punishment".

"What I would like to know is who are the UCB accountable to in terms of their own misdemeanours when it comes to administering the game?" Gibbs Snr is reported to have said.

"This type of activity was allowed to continue for four years, but now the UCB has had neither the guts nor the dignity to admit they have failed as guardians of the game," he said.

In the same report, Williams is described as being disappointed that Cronje had not contacted him.

"I haven't heard anything from Hansie yet. I feel the least he could have done is to ring me and say he was sorry for what had happened. He says sorry on television, but he hasn't told me that himself," says Williams.

The South African team arrived back in South Africa from Singapore on Tuesday morning with captain Shaun Pollock flying straight on to Durban.

In an interview with the South African Press Association Pollock said: From our point of view we respect the disciplinary hearing judgements and from Herschelle's point of view it is probably nice that he knows what he has to do, as does Henry. We also now know they are available again for consideration for international selection from the beginning of next year.

"Both (coach) Graham (Ford) and I are pleased that they will be allowed to play in the domestic competitions during their international suspensions."

The first international reaction to reach South Africa came from New Zealand cricket chief executive Chris Doig who said he was disappointed by the leniency of the bans.

"I am surprised and disappointed at the leniency," Doig told the New Zealand Press Association. "There is no doubt I am disappointed. For the sake of cricket we had to be seen to be taking a strong stance on match-fixing."