Share

Cullinan responds to Gibbs

accreditation
Daryll Cullinan (File)
Daryll Cullinan (File)
Cape Town - I feel compelled to answer and put the record straight with regard to comments and actions attributed to me by Herschelle Gibbs in his latest book.

For too long the truth has not been told with regard to the dope smoking incident during the West Indies tour of 2001.

Team manager, Goolam Rajah and coach Graham Ford, came to know of the players dope smoking the morning after the incident. Rajah had to deal with Gibbs’s distressed girlfriend due to his behaviour. 

Ford’s wife had smelt the marijuana, as their room was alongside the room where the smoking took place. She informed her husband who in turn informed Rajah. Rajah and Ford told me of this.

En route from Kingston to Montego Bay, Ford approached me about the matter. I was of the opinion that the players should be sent home.

He then said that Shaun Pollock, the team captain, did not want the guilty players sent home due to it eroding the affirmative base and affecting the team's chances of winning.

Further to this, Rajah called a meeting with the senior players to discuss the matter with them.

Rajah in private asked me what he should do. He had been given more responsibility as the team manager in light of the recent King Commission.

I reminded him that if this ever came out he would once again be fingered for his lack of control as team manager. I suggested that he, at least, put it on record with United Cricket board of South Africa.

After the above chain of events, it is highly irresponsible and defamatory for Gibbs to allege that I spilt the beans in Montego Bay after an altercation with Roger Telemachus. Rajah later called a team meeting and confirmed that he had informed the United Cricket Board of South Africa of the dope smoking incident.

Gibbs alleges that there was physical contact during my altercation with Telemachus in the Montego Bay dressing room. For Gibbs to claim this is laughable as they were other players present.

Telemachus, for the second time on the tour, verbally abused me after my strong reaction to his lack of changing room respect and decency. The first incident was in the Antiguan changing room after the series win.

Whilst in possession of the marijuana, I advised him of the consequences of his actions and if he was to indulge, then to at least do it away from the hotel and families. (The UCB ultimately fined him R1 000 for abusing me and, as it was his second offence on tour, a further R1 000. He had to apologise to me in the presence of the whole touring squad).

But my reaction to his childishness ran deeper. Once again, as was the case in the King commission, the team and games integrity was at stake. For a person like Gibbs to violate his existing suspension for a previous misdemeanour with drug taking was incomprehensible and smacked of someone who thought he was beyond reproach and the game.

It subsequently became media rumour that I had leaked the story whilst playing county cricket in England. The only person I shared the story with in confidence and privacy, was former coach and friend Bob Woolmer.

No statement from the United Cricket board was forthcoming with regard to the above rumours.

I eventually phoned Percy Sonn who confirmed that it was the United Cricket Board who had released the story and in his own words said, “Daryll, we will rather take a klap for it now than later”.

The United Cricket Board eventually released an official statement that I in no way was guilty of divulging any information on the dope smoking incident to the team manager or media.

I trust this clears up the matter and I urge future publishers, authors and sportsmen to show integrity and authenticity when recounting issues of such a controversy.

Order your copy HERE

Click HERE to stand a chance of winning one of five signed copies of the book


Daryll Cullinan is a former Proteas cricketer and current SuperSport commentator

Disclaimer:
Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE