Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Former Proteas and current Highveld Lions wicketkeeper, Thami Tsolekile, has been named as one of the players allegedly under investigation in the ongoing Ram Slam T20 match-fixing case that has rocked South African cricket, according to a British online report.
Tsolekile, 35, who has also represented the Cape Cobras and South Africa 'A', captained the Highveld Lions in last year's Ram Slam tournament in which the Lions finished second from bottom, missing the playoffs.
According to the Guardian website, Tsolekile is alleged to have been paid at least R75 000 to influence aspects of last year’s Ram Slam competition which ran from November 1 to December 12, 2015.
According to Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) anti-corruption code, Tsolekile faces a minimum five-year ban if found guilty of wrongdoing.
Tsolekile played three Tests for the Proteas, making his debut against India in Kanpur in 2004.
He went on to play against India in Kolkata a week later, before concluding his Test career against England in Port Elizabeth later that year.
He scored 47 runs in five innings at an average of 9.40 and took six catches.
When contacted by the Guardian, Tsolekile denied all knowledge of the matter and did not wish to comment further.
A spokesperson for CSA also declined to comment while the investigation was ongoing.
Tsolekile's alleged involvement follows hot on the heels of CSA's confirmation last Thursday that former Proteas batsman Gulam Bodi is the "intermediary" who has been charged under its Anti-Corruption Code for contriving to fix, or otherwise improperly influence aspects of the 2015 Ram Slam T20.
The confirmation of Bodi's guilt and Tsolekile's alleged involvement may well be the tip of the iceberg with at least one more former national player believed to be under investigation, while numerous domestic cricketers are facing charges of failing to report approaches.
