Sussex skipper Chris Adams is "absolutely stunned" by the sacking of disgraced South African captain Hansie Cronje.

Cronje got the boot today following allegations of match- fixing in the recent one-day series against India. He pulled out this morning of forthcoming matches against Australia and the United Cricket Board of South Africa.

Managing director Ali Bacher subsequently revealed Cronje had been axed after admitting to "dishonesty" with his employers. Adams, who played for England against Cronje during the winter, said: "I am absolutely stunned. When I first saw the allegations there was no way I could believe it.

"He comes across as the ultimate competitor. I thought he must have been set up and it just isn't true. He has been a wonderful cricketer for South Africa and it is a sad end to a gliterring career as captain. It is amazing how in such a short space of time your whole world can be turned upside down.

Adams experienced Cronje's will to win at close quarters. He claimed his wicket when the second Test at Port Elizabeth was petering out.

"Our chance of victory had gone and we were a few runs from walking off the field," said Adams. "He was coming in to bowl aggressively and as desperate to get a wicket as ever. He is that type of cricketer. You could see that when he bats as well. He wants to win everything all the time."

The New Delhi Police Commissioner K.K. Paul said charges of criminal conspiracy, fraud and match-fixing had been registered against Cronje, and team-mates Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom.

Similar charges have been filed against two Indians and one of them, Delhi-based businessman Rajesh Kalra, has already been arrested, according to a police source. The other was identified as Sanjiv Chawla, an Indian who lives in London.

Warwickshire coach Bob Woolmer, who worked alongside Cronje during his five years as South African coach, claimed the news could seriously damage the growth of cricket in that country.

He said: "It will devastate cricket in South Africa. It will be the end of Hansie's career and it would be a real kick in the teeth for South African cricket."

Former England captain Bob Willis, meanwhile, feared for the impact Cronje's dismissal will have for the game of cricket as a whole. He said: "It is a very sad day for world cricket indeed. I am sure if there is any truth in these current allegations then Dr Ali Bacher will get to the bottom of things."

Current England captain Nasser Hussain was adamant only yesterday that Cronje could not be guilty of any match-fixing. He reflected on England's winter tour of South Africa, saying: "We didn't hear any rumours of this kind at all. Hansie was a top bloke towards me and the team. He was a very sporting bloke, and I just wish him and his team all the best.

Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott reserved his judgment until after this afternoon's press conference when more details were expected to emerge about Cronje's "dishonesty".

Boycott said: "He's such an upstanding guy. He's straight and decent, everything he has done in his life has been dead straight. I'm not really sure what has happened, whether he has just lied to Bacher of actually been found guilty of match-fixing - but we will find out more later on."

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