Mired in a 'smoky' affair

DURBAN, MAY 30. These were advertisements of a different kind-a research company placed these, accusing South African cricketer Darryl Cullinan of ratting on his team mates, who smoked Marijuana during the recent West Indies tour.

The intention of the advertisements, published in two leading dailies here, was apparently to solicit public opinion on the issue.

``The aim was to test opinions. It had asked readers to call in with their opinions on Cullinan,'' Jocelyn Daly, spokeswoman for the company, said. ``This kind of research is not scientific like the work done in the rest of our companies,'' Daly said.

However, the advertisements were pulled out by newspapers after one edition when it was found that those had been published by mistake.

Cullinan is accused of having ratted on Herschelle Gibbs, Roger Telemachus, Paul Adams, Justin Kemp and physiotherapist Craig Smith, who subsequently admitted that they had smoked the illegal drug in the hotel room after they had won their Test series against West Indies.

Cullinan has denied the reports and this has been confirmed by CEO of United Cricket Board, Jerry Majola. ``Team manager Goolam Rajah has confirmed it was his own suspicions, which led him to take action and that it had not been reported to him by anyone,'' Majola said.

All the five were fined and UCB has decided that only opening batsman Gibbs will face further disciplinary hearing.

- PTI

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