Warne faces ICC charge (16 May 1999)

16 May 1999

Warne faces ICC charge

Mark Jeffreys

Shane Warne has been ordered to appear before the International Cricket Council after launching a scathing attack on Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

David Richards, the ICC chief executive, said he reviewed Warne's column, which appeared in The Times on Friday, and lodged a complaint, alleging the Australian vice-captain had breached the ICC code of conduct.

Warne's comments that cricket would be better off without Ranatunga may earn him a fine or even suspension, with Jagmohan Dalmiya, the ICC president, confirming: "He will be asked to appear to see if it is a breach of our code of conduct."

The leg-spinner wrote: "Frankly, Sri Lanka - and the game overall - would be better off without him. I don't like him, and I'm not in a club of one."

Warne also claimed that the 35-year-old Sri Lankan batsman had, on occasions, failed to lead his team in the true spirit of the game. He added: "Sri Lanka are not as powerful as the side that won in 1996 and as far as I am concerned the problems stem from their captain.

"Ranatunga might be a shrewd, experienced leader but his batting is not what it was and he is terrible in the field."

The Australian Cricket Board moved quickly, reportedly telephoning the team's hotel in Worcester - where the players are preparing for their opening World Cup match against Scotland today - as soon as the column was released to express their concern.

Ranatunga responded after his side's defeat by England on Friday, saying: "We come from 2,500 years of culture and we all know where they come from."

The veteran player is still under a suspended six-match ban for leading his side off the field during a one-day match against England in Australia earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Australian selector Allan Border believes the bust-up with Ranatunga may discourage Warne from touring Sri Lanka with the Australian team later this year. "It will be interesting if Warne makes himself available for that one," Border said.

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