February 12, 2003	Wednesday	Zul Hijjah 10, 1423

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JOHANNESBURG, Feb 11: World cricket was rocked by one of the greatest scandals ever, when Australia’s best-known cricketer Shane Warne earned the dubious distinction as the game’s first mega star to test positive for using performance enhancing drugs and was sent home on Monday.

Warne, recently named one of the five greatest cricketers of all time missed today’s vital clash against Pakistan, but was hopeful of returning to play his role for the Aussies after taking a B test in his country.

“I have never taken banned substances and will never will. I am confident the B test will clear me from the drug abuse charge. I am also hopeful of returning to play my role in the on-going World Cup” said a tense looking Warne at a hurriedly called press conference before he left for Australia.

Warne claimed that he was using the drug for his shoulder injuries which he suffered and later was operated on. He was out of action for a couple of months but was declared fit to play in the World Cup.

Warne who has scalped 493 Test batsmen and taken 291 One-day wickets has been a controversial figure having been involved in immoral and other extra-marital activities in the past.

Because of his misdeamours, Warne probably lost the chance of leading Australia, after Steve Waugh’s ouster from the limited over internationals.

The test which proved positive was undertaken in Australia and the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) which decided that in the best interest of the country and the player, Warne should return and undergo further tests.

Warne’s positive drug test leaked by the Australian press which reported that the spin king had used banned substances that was to mask the performance enhancing drug which if proved conclusive, was a serious offence.

The news has sent shock waves around the world and it would be no surprise if many more cricketers were found using banned drugs as the game’s ruling body International Cricket Conference (ICC) has decided to introduce random drug tests during the World Cup.

Pakistan team management though stunned by the news, were non-committal and an official said the matter was for the ICC and the ACB, but said it was certainly not a good advertisement for cricket, once called the gentlemen’s game.