MIRED IN A 'SMOKY' AFFAIR

DURBAN, MAY 30. These were advertisements of a different kind-a
research company placed these, accusing South African cricketer Darryl
Cullinan of ratting on his team mates, who smoked Marijuana during the
recent West Indies tour.

The intention of the advertisements, published in two leading dailies
here, was apparently to solicit public opinion on the issue.

``The aim was to test opinions. It had asked readers to call in with
their opinions on Cullinan,'' Jocelyn Daly, spokeswoman for the
company, said. ``This kind of research is not scientific like the work
done in the rest of our companies,'' Daly said.

However, the advertisements were pulled out by newspapers after one
edition when it was found that those had been published by mistake.

Cullinan is accused of having ratted on Herschelle Gibbs, Roger
Telemachus, Paul Adams, Justin Kemp and physiotherapist Craig Smith,
who subsequently admitted that they had smoked the illegal drug in the
hotel room after they had won their Test series against West Indies.

Cullinan has denied the reports and this has been confirmed by CEO of
United Cricket Board, Jerry Majola. ``Team manager Goolam Rajah has
confirmed it was his own suspicions, which led him to take action and
that it had not been reported to him by anyone,'' Majola said.

All the five were fined and UCB has decided that only opening batsman
Gibbs will face further disciplinary hearing.