JOHANNESBURG (Reuters)
South Africa's United Cricket Board (UCB) has confirmed that Hansie Cronje remained banned for life despite its president's contention that Cronje would return to the game.

The UCB called a special meeting after board president Percy Sonn said in an Australian radio interview last week: "I'm sure, in due course, there will be a place for him in South African cricket."

Cronje was banned for life by the UCB for his involvement in match-fixing and the board successfully defended the ban in a court action brought by Cronje, the former South African captain.

"The UCB would like to reiterate its position that ... Cronje has been banned for life," the UCB said in a statement issued after Tuesday's meeting to which Sonn had been summoned.

"This decision has been upheld by the high court of South Africa and endorsed by the International Cricket Council. There is no intention to reverse this decision and the UCB now considers the matter closed."

The board also clarified its position on Sonn's intervention ordering selectors to include coloured player Justin Ontong in the team for last week's third Test against Australia in Sydney, which South Africa lost by 10 wickets. Ontong made his debut for South Africa in preference to Jacques Rudolph, the selectors' choice.

"The policy regarding selection of the national team - and according to which the president acted - is that, where there is an opportunity to do so, young black players who are on the fringes of the team must be given the chance to play for their country," the UCB said.

The statement said the UCB "acknowledges that it has not always made its policies clear to the public and regrets if this interfered in any way with the national team's preparation or performance during their tour to Australia".

It also expressed concern that details of the team initially under consideration and discussions leading to the final selection had been leaked. Selection convenor Rushdi Magiet is to submit a report on the matter to a UCB general council meeting on January 19.

The statement said sports minister Ngconde Balfour addressed the meeting and "expressed his support for the UCB, the national team and for the process of transformation in South African cricket".

South Africa have performed poorly in Australia and lost the Test series 3-0 but the UCB said the jobs of coach Graham Ford, captain Shaun Pollock and assistant coach Corrie van Zyl were not in jeopardy.

"The UCB would like to express its support for and confidence in the coaching team of Graham Ford and Corrie van Zyl, as well as in Shaun Pollock," the statement said. "All three have contracts with the UCB until after the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and the UCB is satisfied that they are performing according to those contracts."

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