LONDON, July 13: Shane Warne spoke of his sadness on Wednesday at the decision of Australia’s Channel Nine to cancel his US$225,000 ($300,000 Australian) a year television commentary contract because of incidents in his private life.

But the legendary leg-spinner insisted his friendship with station owner Kerry Packer would remain unimpaired by the decision.

Warne, 35, separated from his wife Simone last month after a series of sex scandals, allowing Channel Nine to trigger a clause in his latest contract for dismissal due to unsatisfactory off-field behaviour.

“It’s disappointing. I’ve been 12 years with Channel Nine and I’ve enjoyed the TV side of things,” Warne told reporters.

“It was something I was looking forward to getting into when I finished cricket whenever that may be. I wanted it to be with the Nine network because they’ve been very good to me and I’ve enjoyed my time with them.

“They taught me a lot of stuff about television, how it works. Twelve years is a long time to be associated with someone. They were my first sponsor for want of a better word.”

News Limited newspapers reported that Warne had been personally informed of the decision to drop him by Packer, Australia’s richest man.—AFP