South Africa's Gibbs cleared to continue playing

South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs was cleared to continue playing by the United Cricket Board (UCB) on Thursday.

A UCB disciplinary commission decided not to invoke a suspended ban following his involvement in a dope smoking incident with five colleagues on the recent tour of the West Indies.

The UCB extended the suspended sentence for a further period to cover Gibbs until May 31, 2002 and ordered him to undergo a programme of "mentorship and counselling in life skills necessary for a professional sportsman and role model."

Gibbs said: "I believe this is a fair outcome and a constructive way of dealing with the matter. I am relieved it is over so I can move forward and concentrate on my cricket."

He was summoned to face the five-man disciplinary hearing after he admitted, along with five other members of the squad, to smoking marijuana during celebrations of South Africa's test series victory over the West Indies in Antigua on April 10.

The incident took place just within 12 months of Gibbs receiving a six-match ban, three suspended, and a 15,000 rand ($1,850) fine following his breach of a curfew before a one-day match against Australia on April 13, 2000.

Last year, Gibbs served a six-month international ban for his part in the match-fixing scandal involving Hansie Cronje.

Gibbs pleaded guilty to agreeing to underperform in one-day international in India, but then forgot to go through with the arrangement.

He was recalled to the South African team as soon as the ban ended for a test against Sri Lanka on January 2.

Mail Cricket Editor