Fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been handed an 8-year ban following his involvement in match fixing. The left arm seamer confessed his attempt to fix matches during 2015-16 Ram Slam T20.

“Cricket South Africa (CSA) has banned former Proteas and Highveld Lions player Lonwabo Tsotsobe for several breaches of its Anti-Corruption Code for Personnel Code. Tsotsobe, who has admitted contraventions of the Code, has been banned for eight years.”

“The banning of Tsotsobe follows a lengthy and detailed investigation and the previous imposition by CSA in January 2016 of a twenty-year ban on former Proteas, Lions and Titans player Gulam Bodi after Bodi had admitted charges of contriving or attempting to fix matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series. Five other players (Jean Symes, Ethy Mbhalati, Pumelela Matshikwe, Thami Tsolekile and Alviro Petersen) have since admitted contraventions of the Code and have been banned for periods ranging between two to twelve years,” a Cricket South Africa release quoted.

The 8-year ban will commence from 24 April 2017, the day when he was suspended for match fixing. During the period he will not be allowed to participate in or be involved in any capacity in any international or domestic match or attend any function.

Speaking on this Lonwabo Tsotsobe said, “I wish to apologize to cricket lovers all over the world. I was, at the time, in a very vulnerable financial state and this dilemma too easily persuaded me to participate in spot-fixing. There are no words to describe the regret I have in relation to my actions and I hope that the cricket world could consider my apology and understand my deepest feeling of remorse.”

The 33-year-old left arm seamer made his debut for South Africa in 2009. He has played 5 tests, 61 ODIS and 23 T20Is for South Africa. He made his last international appearance during T20WC 2014. The ban virtually puts an end to his cricketing career as he will be in his 40s when it is lifted.

– by Atharva Apte