ACB appoints three-person Anti-Doping Policy Committee for Warne hearing

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today announced that the ACB Anti-Doping Committee to hear a case alleging a breach of the ACB's anti-doping policy by Shane Warne will comprise the Honourable Mr Justice Glen Williams of the Queensland Court of Appeal; medical specialist Dr Susan White, and former Test player Peter Taylor.

ACB Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said a hearing date will be set once the current Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) testing of the sample provided by Shane Warne on 22 January 2003 is complete.

Mr Justice Williams, and Dr White, who is a member of the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee, have both participated in previous ACB Anti-Doping Committee hearings.

Mr Taylor, who played 13 Tests and 83 one-day international games for Australia, was invited to participate because of his experience as a senior player.

Victorian Supreme Court Judge, the Honourable Mr Justice Bill Gillard, who has previously chaired the ACB Anti-Doping Committee, has ruled himself out of this case because, as a barrister, his Honour acted for Shane Warne in a short procedural matter about 10 years ago.

Mr Sutherland said: "Despite the fact that Justice Gillard has never met Shane Warne and the ACB is confident in Justice Gillard's ability to bring an impartial mind to this case, the ACB recognises the importance of ensuring the independence of the committee.

"We are grateful to Justice Gillard for notifying us of his past involvement with Mr Warne at such an early stage and for his decision to step aside in this case."

Meanwhile, the ACB also confirmed today that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has told the ACB that Shane Warne can be replaced in the Australian World Cup squad, if needed.

Mr Sutherland said the ICC Event Technical Committee (ETC) had also said that if replaced, Warne could not then be subsequently re-instated.

"At the moment, we are holding off making a decision until the ACB Anti-Doping Committee hearing, providing that the hearing is reasonably soon," Mr Sutherland said.

For further information please contact:

Peter Young, ACB General Manager, Public Affairs,on 0425 764 693; or
Pat O'Beirne, ACB Corporate Communications Manager, on 0408 99 88 56.