Sport's Strangest Crimes podcast from BBC 5 Live returns with the scandal that changed cricket forever
Hosted by former England cricketer Mark Butcher, this series retraces the rise and fall of Hansie Cronje - from his glory days on the pitch to the secret deals, damning confessions, and an untimely death that left more questions than answers.
The series begins with the now-infamous Centurion Test match - a rain-ruined draw suddenly brought back to life by a puzzling decision from Cronje. What looked like bold sportsmanship was later exposed as something far more sinister when a wiretap in India revealed damning evidence of match-fixing.
Mark guides listeners through the story's many twists: offshore accounts, secret phone calls, shady bookmakers, and a shocking televised inquiry. As the pressure mounts for a deeper investigation, Cronje is killed in a mysterious plane crash, officially blamed on pilot error, but still debated to this day.
With testimony from former teammates, journalists, investigators, and those closest to the case, Mark uncovers a dark world of manipulation, power and money - and the real cost of betrayal in sport.
Speaking about the podcast, Mark, said: 'I played in that Centurion Test, and none of us knew what was really going on. Hansie's story is both tragic and infuriating, and there's still a lot we don't understand. This series is about going back and asking the difficult questions. Who was the real Hansie Cronje? And how deep did this all go?'
The series revisits a scandal that rocked international cricket and left an indelible mark on the game. Over two decades later, the echoes of Cronje's downfall still resonate.
The entire series of Sport's Strangest Crimes: Hansie Cronje - Fall From Grace will be available on BBC Sounds from Wednesday 30 July 2025
Listen to Sport's Strangest Crimes on BBC Sounds
AG / MCL
Follow for more
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
My ex-husband of 12 years left for my SISTER after I couldn't have kids – now I'm babysitting their kid at the wedding
A WOMAN has revealed the jaw-dropping reason she's spending the day babysitting, while her ex-husband marries her sister. In a viral TikTok, content creator Chloe Cotterell recounted the explosive story, but made clear she's telling someone else's tale, not her own. 2 And it's one that's left viewers completely stunned. The anonymous woman, whose identity Chloe keeps private, opens up about her 12-year marriage to her now ex, who she refers to simply as Mark. The couple had been together for over a decade and were desperate for children. But after struggling to conceive, things started to unravel. She said: 'I'd like to think that was the breaking point in our marriage, because we both wanted kids so badly.' She believed, aside from that pain, their relationship was solid. But one ordinary Tuesday, Mark came home from work and asked for a divorce out of the blue. Heartbroken and confused, she turned to her sister, her closest confidante, for support. But that, she now says, was a 'big mistake.' Although she still doesn't know if her sister and husband had been secretly involved before the divorce, what happened next made things crystal clear. Coldplay fan who filmed CEO 'cheating' with HR chief at gig takes swipe at couple As the divorce dragged on, partly because she earned significantly more than Mark and he was, according to her, 'trying to take the majority of my money'. She discovered her sister and ex were in fact officially seeing each other. Before the papers were even signed. 'It was such a shock,' she said. 'I was absolutely distraught.' But now, some time has passed and with her ex and sister tying the knot, she's able to see it in a very different light. She revealed the couple now have a child together and she would be on auntie duty, babysitting their love child through the wedding ceremony. Despite the shocking betrayal, she says she's not bitter. In fact, she's surprisingly upbeat about the whole thing. She said: 'I've escaped a lifetime of hurt with that man. And honestly, I think it's hilarious my sister's so desperate, she ended up with my ex.' Now, with a new chapter ahead, she's hoping the wedding brings at least one silver lining. 'Let's hope there's some hot single men at the wedding,' she laughed. 'Because I need one.' The TikTok has gone viral, racking up thousands of comments from viewers urging her to get revenge smartly. One user said: "Whoever's story this is, is stronger than me. I would never see or speak to them ever again". Another added: "I am gobsmacked, I would never speak to my sister again". While a third fan revealed a similar situation: "My Mum divorced my Dad and then married his identical twin brother 3 months later". It seems betrayal within the family is more common than you might think. Recently, a woman ran to TikTok begging for help after discovering her husband had cheated on her with her little sister. After finding out her little sister had gone through a difficult break-up and lost her job, she let her come and stay with her and her husband, trusting her sister completely. But that trust was shattered after she walked into the kitchen one afternoon and saw something that left her sick to her stomach. Meanwhile, not everyone handles cheating so calmly. A mum has got the ultimate revenge on her cheating ex after he threatened to rob the home she lives in with his kid. The furious woman has gone viral after destroying her partner's designer clothes in a blaze of paint-splattered glory. Four red flags your partner is cheating Private Investigator Aaron Bond from BondRees revealed four warning signs your partner might be cheating. They start to take their phone everywhere with them In close relationships, it's normal to know each other's passwords and use each other's phones, if their phone habits change then they may be hiding something. Aaron says: "If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful." "You should also look at how they place their phone down when not in use. If they face the phone with the screen facing down, then they could be hiding something." They start telling you less about their day When partners cheat they can start to avoid you, this could be down to them feeling guilty or because it makes it easier for them to lie to you. "If you feel like your partner has suddenly begun to avoid you and they don't want to do things with you any more or they stop telling you about their day then this is another red flag." "Partners often avoid their spouses or tell them less about their day because cheating can be tough, remembering all of your lies is impossible and it's an easy way to get caught out," says Aaron. Their libido changes Your partner's libido can change for a range of reasons so it may not be a sure sign of cheating but it can be a red flag according to Aaron. Aaron says: "Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating. You may also find that your partner will start to introduce new things into your sex life that weren't there before." They become negative towards you Cheaters know that cheating is wrong and to them, it will feel good, this can cause tension and anxiety within themselves which they will need to justify. "To get rid of the tension they feel inside they will try to convince themselves that you are the problem and they will become critical of you out of nowhere. Maybe you haven't walked the dog that day, put the dishes away or read a book to your children before bedtime. A small problem like this can now feel like a big deal and if you experience this your partner could be cheating," warns Aaron.
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Horrid Henry and the wives he cut off in their prime
In other words, it's a bit like watching a River City re-run on BBC iPlayer. History is also similar to River City as it's populated by very bad people doing very bad things for very good reasons. Mark Shaw teaches the subject (History, not River City) and knows a thing or two about ancient times. He once worked in a Californian school where the curriculum was focused, understandably, on America's glittering (and often grizzly) past. Occasionally Mark grew weary of reciting tales about George Washington's wooden teeth, and for the sake of variety would throw into the mix the odd anecdote celebrating Brittania's gloriously gory backstory. Most students were enthralled when Mark told them about Henry VIII and the tragic fate of his six wives. Though one girl was visibly appalled at the behaviour of England's much married monarch, and couldn't stop herself from shouting out: 'That Henry VIII… I didn't realise he was such a diva.' Lot of bottle While studying at Edinburgh Uni, Karen Lawson had a part-time job as a waitress in an Italian restaurant. A rude drunk once staggered into the premises, flopped down at a table and demanded a bottle of wine. 'What year?' asked Karen. 'I better get it this year,' slurred the drunk, 'or there'll be trouble.' Road to ruin While learning to drive, reader Bill Fry had a wise instructor who educated him in the ways of motoring. This chap once said to Bill: 'If you don't swear while you're driving, that just means you aren't concentrating on what's happening on the road.' Bedtime story The teenage son of Patricia Smith was vacationing in Ibiza with buddies. While the other lads soaked up rays at the beach, or knocked back drinks with fancy-schmancy names at the bar, Patricia's son spent most of his time snoozing peacefully in his air-conditioned room. This behaviour did not go unnoticed, leading his pals to reward him with the entirely suitable moniker… half-man half-mattress. Jobbing along It's been years since Paul Wright retired from a career working in a Glasgow office, though he still misses that feeling of self-worth a job gives a chap. He recalls one boss rewarding him with a memorable 'compliment', when he said to Paul: 'I go to you when I can't go to my go-to guy.' The hardest word 'I don't apologise for anything,' says reader Sue Cunningham. 'I'm sorry, that's just the way I am.'
The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Alex Jones had ‘no idea' about Jermaine Jenas complaints
Before he was sacked in August, Jenas had been a regular pundit on sports programmes and a presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live. Alex Jones on Jermaine Jenas Jones, 48, who co-presented with Jenas on The One Show, told the Big Issue she did not know about the complaints until he had left. She said: 'I very much take people on face value. But with JJ [Jenas] I didn't know what was going on. 'I had no idea. I thought he was taking extended leave. Jermaine Jenas was sacked from the BBC. (Image PA)'The BBC didn't share with me what was going on until they actually dealt with it. And, you know, they did what they thought was right. 'If that was my daughter and she felt uncomfortable with someone's behaviour, I hope that whatever company she was working for would deal with it swiftly as well.' After being sacked from the BBC, Jenas apologised, saying he had done 'nothing illegal' and that 'inappropriate messages' sent were 'between two consenting adults'. Who is Jermaine Jenas's wife? Months later, Jenas' wife, Ellie Penfold, announced the couple had split up after 16 years together. In a statement on her Instagram story, Penfold said: 'I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it's necessary. 'After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways. 'We will remain friends and continue to co-parent.' Jenas returned to broadcasting on TalkSport radio in February after the outlet distanced itself from him in the wake of his departure from the BBC. Recommended Reading: It is not the first time Jones has had a co-presenter leave The One Show with Jason Manford, who joined the programme at the same time as her in August 2010, resigning only three months into the role for sharing sexual internet messages with female fans. Despite co-presenting on the show for a few months, Jones said she is still 'really good pals' with Manford. The full interview with Alex Jones can be read in this week's Big Issue, on sale now.
