Cricket: Warne doping scandal devastating, says Waugh

8.30am

JOHANNESBURG - Shane Warne's departure from the World Cup after failing a drugs test drew sympathy from Australia's test captain Steve Waugh today, while India skipper Saurav Ganguly said it was "really sad news" for cricket.

The leg spinner's World Cup dreams were left in tatters after it was announced that he had returned a positive test for a diuretic, which the 33-year-old Australian said he took by mistake.

Steve Waugh described the departure of his friend from what would have been his last one-day tournament as "terrible" news.

"I'm devastated for Shane and for his family," Waugh said.

"I know how much it meant to him this last one-day tournament.

"He wanted to make an impact on the world stage. I hope it works out for him because he's been great for cricket and great for Australian cricket.

"I personally want to remember all the great things he's done for the game."

Former England captain Mike Gatting, who was dismissed by Warne with what became known as the 'Ball of the Century' in the 1993 Ashes series, was convinced by the bowler's protestation that he unwittingly took the drug.

"I can't believe Shane Warne would do that," he said.

"I don't think it's anything more than an honest mistake.

"I know the Australian Cricket Board are against performance-enhancing drugs and are trying to stamp down on it.

"He'll be a huge loss to the Australian team. But I think he's done exactly the right thing going back to Australia to sort it out - it should relieve the pressure on the Australian team.

"(But) I can't believe we won't see any more of Shane Warne."

Warne, the most successful leg spinner in the history of the game, was expected to play a major role in Australia's defence of the World Cup before retiring from one-dayers to concentrate on test cricket.

But, having failed a test on January 22 in Australia, the dejected Warne flew home today after admitting he had taken the substance by mistake as part of his attempts to slim down.

Diuretics are often used to help weight loss but also as a masking agent for other drugs.

Ganguly said he was upset at the news.

"It's really sad news for world cricket. To make it worse, it was the last World Cup of his career," Ganguly said,

"I really don't know the final situation, on what basis he has been banned, but obviously all the players in South Africa will miss him."

Not everyone was as sympathetic.

South Africa captain Shaun Pollock saying Warne should have been more careful with what he ingested.

"It's pretty easy (to ensure you don't inadvertently take a banned substance)," he said.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced in September that dope testing would be introduced at the World Cup for the first time in accordance with South African law.

The sport has never suffered a major drugs scandal before.

Pollock said his entire squad had passed drugs tests before the start of the tournament.

"We've been told we can't take anything without the consent of the physio or the doctor and that's been the policy for the past few months," he said.

He also believed the tournament would not be diminished by Warne's absence.

"I don't think it detracts from the World Cup at all," he said.

"He's a big factor and a popular person but there are a lot of great cricketers out here at this tournament and a lot of great cricket is going to be produced."

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, from whom Warne sought advice about his craft when Australia toured Pakistan in 1994, said the bowler had a duty to explain the failed drugs test.

"As far as his bowling ability is concerned, we all know he's a great bowler," Qadir said.

"Only he knows what the truth really is. As a role model for future generations, it is important for him to tell the truth as it is."

Sports-loving Australia reacted with shock and disbelief as the news of Warne's fall from grace broke across the continent.

Television stations in Warne's home city of Melbourne led their evening news bulletins with the story.

Cricket is regarded as Australia's national sport and Warne was named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the century.

- REUTERS

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