Steve Waugh offers Warne his support

Shane Warne, the object of scathing criticism in the wake of the latest scandal to dog his personal life, received support from Steve Waugh, who has been his team-mate for over a decade.

Warne, who is serving a 12-month drug suspension which is due to finish on February 10 next year, has been accused by Helen Cohen Alon, a South African, of pestering her with unwanted SMS messages. He has declined to comment on the issue so far.

Waugh said today that Warne deserved to be given a fair chance because the full story had not come out yet. "I am part of the cricket side, and we have some loyalty to each other ... I feel for Shane and what's happened," he said. "He's human, he makes mistakes and I think he pays for his pretty heavily. I certainly support Shane and his family."