Warne knew the risks: McGrath

MELBOURNE, Feb 16 AAP - Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes team-mate Shane Warne brought his potential cricketing downfall upon himself and should have known the risks of taking a pill containing unknown substances.

McGrath said the Australian team was always kept well-informed about drugs and that given his experience, Warne was naive about accepting a pill from his mother.

As Warne awaits his hearing with the Australian Cricket Board's anti-doping committee after testing positive to a banned diuretic, McGrath endorsed captain Ricky Ponting's comments that Warne had acted without thinking.

"As much as the boys are right behind Warney 100 per cent, for someone of his experience, he should have known the risks," McGrath wrote in a News Limited column.

"I'd have to agree Shane was a little naive not to get the tablet checked.

McGrath said the Australian players were well aware of the penalties for taking banned substances and knew to thoroughly check anything they took.

"Given what's happened in the past with (state cricketers) Graeme Rummans and Duncan Spencer both being suspended (for banned substances), you should know the consequences of anything you are taking," he said.

"We talk about drugs before the start of every season and a guy from ASDA (Australian Sports Drug Agency) comes out and has a bit of a chat so it isn't like we aren't all well informed.

"Getting things checked is just part and parcel of what we do.

"At the end of the day and as much as the whole team is 100 per cent behind him, Shane has brought this on himself."

McGrath said Warne was lost for words when he told his team-mates he had tested positive and that the team was in "shock and huge disappointment" on receiving the news.

Warne has been charged by the ACB with using a prohibited method and faces a possible two-year suspension if found guilty.

His hearing will be held in Melbourne this week.