LONDON, June 25: Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne and his wife Simone are to separate, the couple said on Saturday. “It is with regret that we inform you that we have decided to separate,” they said in a joint statement issued through Warne’s brother and manager Jason.

“We remain best of friends and we will both continue to be there for our three beautiful children. Please respect our privacy at this difficult and tough time “

The 35-year-old Warne, one of five players named as Wisden’s cricketers of the 20th century for revitalising the art of leg-spin, has settled in England where he is captain of county side Hampshire

Meanwhile, Australia captain Ricky Ponting he hoped Warne would be able to concentrate on his cricket during the forthcoming Ashes Test series.

Last week Britain’s Sunday Mirror carried a report of an affair between Warne and a student.

It was the latest unsavoury incident involving the 35-year-old Warne.

In 2000 whilst playing for the southern-based side Warne was stripped of the Australia vice-captaincy for sending lewd text messages to a nurse.

Warne, the first spinner to take 500 Test wickets, was also involved in a dope scandal on the eve of the 2003 World Cup and flew home from South Africa before Australia’s first match of the tournament against Pakistan in Johannesburg.

He was subsequently banned from all cricket for a year.

Now retired from One-day International cricket, Warne was not involved in Australia’s 10-wicket triangular match defeat of Bangladesh at Old Trafford on Saturday.—Agencies