Four years on: The players statements in full (10 December 1998)

10 December 1998

Four years on: The players statements in full

Electronic Telegraph

Shane Warne

"During the course of the 1994 tour of Sri Lanka, before we went to Pakistan, I was approached by a man, who I later discovered to be bookmaker from India.

"He gave me $5,000 and in return he spoke to me on several occasions for routine questions like what the pitch was like, what the weather conditions were.

"I never at any stage told him about team tactics or selections.

"As the captain of Victoria and a senior Australian cricketer, I regularly provide much more detailed information to the media before any match I play. "However, I realise that I was very naive and stupid.

"I was fined $8,000 by the Australian Cricket Board and paid the fine immediately.

"I've had no contact with the bookmaker since and am very disappointed and sorry for my actions.

"I've always strived to do the best I can for my country and I think that the way I've played and conducted myself on the field shows that I'm a cricketer with integrity, who has never given anything but his best.

"I deeply regret this action off the field and wish to state that playing for Australia is the greatest honour I've had in my cricketing career.

"I must emphasize that I have never ever been involved in any match-fixing or bribery in any cricket matches at any stage of my career."

Mark Waugh

"During the course of the 1994 tour of Sri Lanka, I was approached by a man who asked me to provide routine information before Australia's one-day matches on that tour.

"He asked me general questions on what the Australian side expected from the pitch and weather conditions but at no stage did I discuss team tactics or line-ups.

"In return for speaking to me on that handful of occasions he offered me $6,000 which I accepted.

"At the time I did not see the implications of offering such information, which I thought to be mundane and exactly the same as any pre-match media interview.

"In early 1995, the Australian Cricket Board asked me if I had ever provided information to a bookmaker and I replied I had done so the previous year.

"I was fined $10,000 and paid my fine immediately.

"I have never spoken to the bookmaker again since.

"In this period since I was fined, the full implications of the possibility that I may be linked to actions much more sinister than those I innocently undertook in 1994 have become very clear to me.

"Even while this matter has not been made public until now, I realise and accept fully that my actions were naive and stupid.

"I regret them entirely and wish to restate in the strongest possible manner that I have always given my best for my country in every match I have played and I believe my record, particularly in the last three years, fully supports this statement.

"I must emphasise that I have never been involved in match-fixing or bribery on cricket matches in any stage of my career."

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)