Stumped by scandal

26 February 2016 - 09:10 By TELFORD VICE

Lonwabo Tsotsobe, the latest cricketer implicated in the ongoing investigations into match-fixing during last year's Ram Slam T20 competition, is still training with the Lions, coach Geoff Toyana has confirmed.Tsotsobe, who has not played since December 4, protested his innocence in an interview with an Indian cricket website published yesterday.Toyana declined to comment when asked why Thami Tsolekile was not practising with the Lions. Calls to Tsolekile's cellphone number went unanswered.Both Tsolekile and Tsotsobe have been linked to the scandal in media reports, though no evidence has been brought against them publicly as Cricket SA has declined to give details of their investigation.Former South Africa, Titans and Lions player Gulam Bodi was banned from cricket for 20 years after admitting to his involvement in match-fixing.Lions CE Greg Fredericks said yesterday that "we know absolutely nothing, but besides Bodi nobody has been suspended".Meanwhile, Toyana hopes there's nothing crooked in left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso's bowling action being declared suspect after the One-Day Cup semifinal against the Warriors at the Wanderers on Wednesday.Phangiso has 14 days to have his action tested. The results will be sent to a specialist approved by the International Cricket Council, which will have another 14 days to decide whether Phangiso "chucks"- which could see him banned from bowling.That would complicate Phangiso's participation in the World T20 in India, which starts on March8. South Africa play their first match on March 18."Phangi has played international cricket for three years, and for this to come up now is really baffling," Toyana said yesterday."When the match officials called me to talk about his bowling action I was really surprised. I'm just hoping there's nothing behind it."If Phangiso was tested as late as possible, on March 16, his fate would only be decided by March 24 - after South Africa's first two group matches.In any event, ICC sources said yesterday the event technical committee would likely allow South Africa to replace Phangiso if he was banned during the tournament...

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