On this day: Died June 1, 2002 - Hansie Cronje, South African cricketer

FILE PHOTO: Died on June 1, 2002: Hansie Cronje, South African cricketer South African captain Hansie Cronje leaves the field after being caught by England's Alec Stewart off Dominic Cork on the fourth day of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, July 26, 1998. REUTERS/Ian Hodgson/File Photo

(Reuters) - All-rounder Hansie Cronje, who died on this day in 2002, flirted with greatness but succumbed to temptation, exposing the dark world of bribery in cricket before his tragic death in a plane crash at the age of 32.

The perennially scowling South African averaged above 36 with the bat both in tests and one-dayers and was more than a handy medium pacer. But it was his inspirational skill as a leader which stood out.