Disgraced former South African captain Hansie Cronje is asking the high court to overturn his life ban from cricket, saying it has curtailed his work with underprivileged children.
Cronje, who was banned from all activities of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) and its affiliates last year, has filed papers at the Pretoria High Court in which he says he wants to make amends by resuming coaching underprivileged children.
Cronje said he accepted that the board would not employ him as a professional cricketer but felt they had no power to regulate his playing of the game or control his participation in other matters related to cricket.
"I am anxious to make amends for my conduct which has led to the termination of my cricket career," Cronje said.
"The best way in which I can do that is to use the talents, skills and expertise which I have acquired in cricket and promote the game in the field of coaching and developing, particularly in the coaching of underprivileged players."
Cronje said he had donated cricket kits to Geelhoutboom Primary School. The school is in a poor area close to his home at Fancourt, an exclusive golf estate near George.
Cronje said he had been invited to a match but had been unable to go because of the severity of his ban.
Before the ban, Cronje said, he had always been involved with the wider cricket community.
"All these activities were undertaken on a purely voluntary basis, without remuneration," Cronje said. "I very much wish to continue with these activities...If I obtain the relief I seek in these procedings, it is my intention to extend my activities along these lines."
The UCBSA has until January 15th to submit an answering affidavit. - Reuters