Hansie Cronje: leader, liar, legend

Cronje and Woolmer revolutionized the entire approach of the game. Computer analysis made its way into the game and the “laptop-coach” introduced the reverse sweep to the world. During the next five years, Cronje and Woolmer went on to rule the cricket world and won 10 Test series out of the 15 that South Africa played.

Even in the coloured-clothing format, the coach-captain duo aggregated a mind boggling 73% success rate. Woolmer became the ultimate cricket scientist and Cronje established himself as a tough, uncompromising leader.

But as they say, the higher they go, the harder they fall.

Hansie Cronje fell and broke into pieces.

The 2000 tour of India unearthed a series of scandals that changed the face of the game forever. Cricket ceased to be regarded a game of talent, skill and glorious uncertainties. Instead, it became a sequence of suspicious events which were not as random as the spectators were led to believe.

Was it only poor judgment from the batsman when he shouldered arms and got knocked over? Why did the non-striker set off for a disastrous single? Was that catch easier to hold than to drop?

Questions that never existed surfaced, thanks to a late night confession letter received by Dr. Ali Bacher. Hansie Cronje stripped the game of its innocence, forever. He tarnished a country that fought back from the darkness of apartheid and was welcomed back into the fraternity as everyone’s favourite cricketing nation.

The image of him in white flannels leading his side on with square-jawed swagger was replaced by a black suit, puffy eyes, fatigued shoulders and an aura of guilt. He resisted first but for a man who led from the front, lying wasn’t an option. He wobbled, weaved, managed a weak smile but then gave in. His world collapsed and cricket lovers were left with one question for him – “Hansie, how could you?”

He left the witness stand with the physical support of two men – a scene that signified that one mistake can reduce even a man who once stomped the entire cricket world with arrogance into a crumbling mess. That’s how Hansie Cronje walked into the oblivion.

22 July 2013, Delhi

“There are six accused in this case, three of them are on bail while two are abroad… The sixth is Hansie Cronje, who is dead.”

The cricket world forgot about him but the Delhi police didn’t. After 13 long years, they finally found a name to charge with on a charge sheet.

But does it really count anymore?

May be it does for the law. But for the countless cricket lovers, the charge sheet from Delhi police did nothing but scratch open a wound that they could have done without. It doesn’t matter anymore if Cronje was involved, because he has been reprimanded in the worst possible way.

Irrespective of whatever he did, Cronje will remain as one of the most interesting characters in the history of cricket. For some, he will be a liar who tainted the game forever and for the rest, who refuse to accept his indiscretion, he will remain as a leader who ‘made a grave mistake’.