Gibbs and Boje may miss Champions Trophy

Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje may be forced to miss the Champions Trophy in India later this year, after the Indian board stopped short of giving an assurance that the pair would be immune from questioning, following their involvement in the matchfixing scandal that rocked the game in 2000.

Following the relevations that led to Hansie Cronje's downfall, Boje and Gibbs were both mentioned in the course of an investigation by Delhi Police. Since then, they have twice opted out of an India tour - in 2004 for two Tests and in 2005 for a five-match ODI series.

The secretary of the Indian board, Niranjan Shah, said that the president, Sharad Pawar, would attempt to make use of his ministerial position to lobby the government, but added that it was a police case and involved legal matters.

"We are keen to see Boje and Gibbs play," Shah told PTI. "We want the best teams to play." Pawar is Union Minister for Agriculture, and it is hoped that his friends in high places will help sway the issue.

South African cricket officials in Durban, however, were tightlipped about whether Gibbs and Boje would be included in the squad for Champions Trophy, to be played at four venues in October and November.