Cricket: Sultry test draw under cloud

Defiant New Zealand cricketers were hailed for securing a draw but, as GEOFF CUMMING discovers, it might have been predetermined.

It is late October 1999 and, halfway through the fourth day of the third cricket test in India, New Zealand are staring at defeat.

The tourists' first innings ends a gaping 275 runs short of the Indian total and it seems inevitable New Zealand will be asked to bat again on a wearing pitch.

But home skipper Sachin Tendulkar, in what appears an astonishing tactical blunder, fails to enforce the follow-on.

Just over a day later, New Zealand escape with a draw after the Indians use up valuable time with a second turn at bat. The Black Caps' improved effort in losing only two second innings wickets is hailed as a rare show of defiance by the top order, while Tendulkar is pilloried by the Indian media for his "diabolical" blunder.

One year later, it seems the Ahmedabad test can be added to the swelling file of international cricket matches whose outcomes may have been determined by bookmakers and betting syndicates.

Lingering suspicions boil over in the report of the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation into match-fixing, released on Wednesday. The report has shattered international cricket by linking nine test captains, including Martin Crowe, to Indian bookmakers. New Zealand Cricket yesterday promised its own independent inquiry.

The full report includes testimony from a New Delhi punter, Pawan Puri, that he was asked on the night of the third day of the Ahmedabad test to place a bet on a draw, even though New Zealand seemed in a precarious position.

He lodged the bet on behalf of big-time punter Rattan Mehta, whose cricketing friends include Ajay Jadeja, the Indian batsman named by the inquiry for accepting payments for information.

The Indian Central Bureau of Investigation seized mobile phone bills showing Jadeja received 62 calls on the second day of the test from Madras bookmaker Uttam Chand. In all, Jadeja took nearly 200 calls from Chand during the test match.

Investigators believe bookmakers knew a day in advance that the follow-on would not be enforced.

Tendulkar's decision was made on the fourth day in conjunction with coach Kapil Dev and senior players, including Jadeja. Kapil told the inquiry it could not be ruled out that "somebody could have subconsciously influenced" the decision.

Kapil said India's bowlers complained on the fourth day that they were very tired. They suggested India bat again and score quick runs before putting New Zealand back in.

India batted for 32 overs, saving New Zealand more than two hours' batting time. On the fifth day, Matt Horne and Gary Stead gave New Zealand their biggest opening stand of the series and stumps were drawn early with the visitors 252 for two.

Tendulkar has testified that he suspected former captain Mohammed Azharuddin was involved with bookmakers.

Martin Crowe and former wife Simone will discuss their response with lawyers today. Crowe has dismissed as "outrageous and absurd" claims that he was paid by bookmaker Mukesh Kumar Gupta for information about pitches, weather and team composition. Gupta stated that he had lunch with the Crowes in 1991 before paying him $US20,000.

Crowe says he received $3000 for what he thought was a commissioned series of articles.

In Wellington, Crowe's lawyer David Howman said the great batsman would be happy to cooperate with the New Zealand Cricket inquiry.

His client's reputation was the primary concern but it was still to be decided whether they would take legal action against Gupta.

Last night, New Zealand Cricket wanted further details before setting the inquiry's terms of reference.

Sir Paul Condon, head of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit, has been asked to go to India for further investigations.