Mark Waugh seeks answers on Indian probe

Senior Australian batsman Mark Waugh leaves on Tuesday unsure of what awaits him from Indian cricket officials, fans, and possibly even the local police.

Waugh departs with the Australian team aware of a report that Foreign Affairs officials are on alert to help if Indian police seek to interview him in connection with allegations that he had accepted money from local bookmaker Mukesh Gupta.

Waugh's manager Leo Karis confirmed today the Australian Cricket Board had kept his client informed on whether he could face any inquiries about the allegations in the CBI report.

Australian captain Steve Waugh said today his brother Mark would be "a little apprehensive" but he expected him to be well informed on what he could face before the tour.

"He would have spoken to his lawyers and the cricket board and I'm sure they'll sort something out before he goes so he knows exactly what's going to happen and what will confront him over there to put his mind at ease," said Steve.

ACB chief executive Malcolm Speed said the Department of Foreign Affairs believed it was unlikely Waugh would be sought for an interview by Indian police but the department was available to help if needed.

Waugh again refuted Gupta's allegations that he took money in return for team, pitch and weather information when he was interviewed by ACB anti-corruption investigator Greg Melick here at the weekend.

Waugh has enjoyed a golden summer in the home Test and one-day series, despite unrelenting pressure over Gupta's allegations, but he may get a more hostile reception from cricket-mad Indian crowds who have already turned on their own players caught up in cricket's match-fixing scandals.

Aside from the issues with Mark, Steve Waugh said there was no particular concern about security on the Indian tour beyond those in previous trips to the country.

"Every tour we go on now we generally have security people with us so that'll probably be the same in this tour," Steve Waugh said today. "Indian authorities I'm sure are going to look after us as well, but you can't guarantee everything. I'm sure they'll do the best they can and I hope there aren't any incidents on the tour."