The Management of Club 69 claimed that off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and fast bowler Mohammad Akram visited their establishment on two nights last week together with an unidentified third person.

Johannesburg police say they have been unable to find any witness to support the cricketers' version of events despite extensive enquiries. But a statement on behalf of the players said: ``We bitterly resent the allegations that are flying around and are very upset that any credence should be given to them.''

Police last night returned to the team hotel to take sworn statements from the two. The investigators said that when they were first called in last Wednesday night, the players had gone for medical treatment and were unable to give first-hand accounts of what happened.

Inspector Andy Pieke said: ``That has made it more difficult for us to investigate. This is a high profile case, but we so far are unable to find anyone who saw the attack. This particular kind of mugging - men jumping from a car - is also highly unusual in the Sandton area, though it is a high crime area.''

The two players first said they were crossing the street on their way back to their hotel from a nearby Indian restaurant when a car pulled up and two men attacked them, demanding money.

Later they changed their story to say they were on their way to the restaurant - the Delhi Palace - though its staff cannot recollect seeing either man that evening. The players said the car drove off when other vehicles arrived on the scene.

Saqlain suffered severe neck bruising and Akram, who grasped a knife wielded by the assailants, received a deep gash on the hand, along with bruising of the ribs and a damaged ankle, which prevented him playing in the first Test at the Wanderers.

The team had been warned not to walk the streets at night, and there is a overhead walkway from their hotel directly to the restaurant, which avoids using the road.

Inspector Pieke said no drivers had come forward, and checks with security guards at the entrances to nearby car parks had failed to produce an eye-witness.

He said officers would now be visiting Club 96 to check on their version of events. That establishment has a large clientele of foreign businessmen. It advertises itself in newspapers as ``an opulent and unique venue for elite clients . . . where you will meet Aphrodite herself.''

The Test was delayed for a day because of the assault, and it is estimated that that has cost the home authorities about £150,000.