South African pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe indefinitely suspended for match fixing

The Cricket South Africa has provisionally suspended 33-year old pace bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal. As per the reports, Tsotsobe was found to have breached multiple violations in the Anti-Corruption code of the CSA and the ICC. The charges imposed on the pacer date back to his involvement in the match-fixing scandal of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge Series of 2015.

The tournament had come under the scanner due to several allegations and citations of the match fixing. Earlier, the board had banned some big veteran names of domestic cricket for their involvement in the scandal. Gulam Bodi was perhaps the biggest name to have come to the fore in the infamous incident. Other players Jean Symes, Pumi Matshikwe, Ethy Mbhalati, Thami Tsolekile and Alviro Petersen were also banned by the CSA for breaching the Anti-Corruption code.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe is a renowned name in the South African circuit and has served for the national side as well. He was a key member of the Highveld Lions in the domestic T20 challenge. Hence, his name coming in the scandal has come as a big setback for South African cricket. As per the reports in Cricbuzz, the significant charges that have been imposed on him are as follows:

• Contriving to fix or otherwise improperly influence, or being party to a scheme in which attempts would be made to fix or otherwise improperly influence, a match or matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series;
• Failing to disclose the receipt of a gift or payment that he knew or ought to have known was given to him to procure a breach of the Code or that was made in circumstances that could bring him or the sport of cricket into disrepute;
• Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the Code;
• Seeking to accept, accepting or agreeing to accept a bribe or reward to fix or contrive to fix or influence improperly a match or matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series.

The charges are basically for his act of contriving to fix the matches in the tournament. Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been suspended by the CSA indefinitely and his future remains under the dark cloud. CSA will not make any further comments in this regard. Tsotsobe will now not be allowed to participate in any cricket match in South Africa, or be associated with any cricketing match, or even serve in the coaching capacity at any level of cricket in South Africa.

In his career, he has played 61 ODIs for the national side and has 94 wickets to his name. In the 23 T20Is that he has been a part of, he has taken 18 wickets. He has also represented South Africa in the longest format of the game in 5 Tests to return with 9 wickets.