Disgraced Tsotsobe’s dark times have silver linings
The former Proteas seamer, currently banned for attempting to participate in match-fixing, wants to give something back to the game in future.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images.
There are still six years to go before Lonwabo Tsotsobe can go near any cricket-related activity again, but he’s more than willing to wait.
In an interview with Sport24, the former Proteas seamer revealed that he’s ready to plough back into the game after his eight-year ban for his involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked domestic cricket in 2015/16.
Tsotsobe was the last of five other players to have been suspended for breaching Cricket South Africa’s Anti-Corruption Code in being courted by Gulam Bodi, who was banned for 20 years after admitting to being a middleman in the venture to engage in so-called spot-fixing.
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“I could easily say that I can deal with life after cricket – as a businessman and DJ – but cricket is what I believe in,” he told the website.
“At some stage, I would want to share all the expertise I accumulated over the years. Though I can survive without cricket, my wish is to see more upcoming black African talent emerge.”
The 35-year-old enjoyed a reasonably fruitful international career, taking 94 wickets in 61 ODIs, but has conceded he won’t play again.
“As far as playing cricket again is concerned, I reckon I am too old to get a second chance. However, with the experience I gained playing for South Africa for six years, it would be a dream to mentor the young kids and give back to the game in the future,” he said.
Tsotsobe naturally struggled initially to cope with being ostracised for his behaviour, which also led to him being very reclusive.
But a “good support structure at home” gave him new perspective.
“When a person is banned, it’s human nature to want to hide and not let people see you. The way I coped was by having a good support structure at home. I thought about staying at my house and not being seen, but my mom did a great job with me. She said, ‘You did what you did, let it be and move on with life.’ ”
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