South Africa hands Cronje life ban

The disgraced former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje has been banned for life by his country's cricket board.

The United Cricket Board passed the ban on Cronje, who admitted receiving money from bookmakers in exchange for information on matches.

The ban extends to all the UCB's related cricket activities as well as that of their affiliates, a board statement said.

Cronje admitted to the King Commission in his testimony in June that he received tens of thousands of dollars from gamblers and bookmakers on five occasions between 1996 and 2000.

He also confessed that he offered team-mates money in exchange for underperforming in Test matches.

The commission will resume hearings into the matter next month and is likely to make recommendations to the government by early December.

Michael Atherton has denied suggestions that he has rejected a new contract at Lancashire. Reports yesterday suggested that the former England captain had turned down a new deal at Old Trafford, fuelling speculation that he could retire from cricket. But Atherton, 32, said: "I have not rejected any offer of a new contract from Lancashire. I am happy to see out the remaining year of my contract."

Atherton's current contract runs until the end of next season, when he is expected to make a decision on his future.

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