Warne rubbishes bookie rumours

Shane Warne has rubbished reports in an Indian magazine that he was seen in the company of a known bookmaker during the 1999 World Cup. The magazine Outlook claimed that Warne and Brian Lara were seen leaving a London pizza restaurant with Ratan Mehta, a man who is accused in the same article of fixing the Super Six match between India and Pakistan at Old Trafford.

"This story is total rubbish and completely untrue," said Warne. "The only time I have had dinner with Brian Lara in London was at the Pizza Pomodero with his manager, David Manassi, and my good friend Dwight Yorke. As far as Ratan Mehta is concerned, I have never even heard of him before."

Cricket Australia has come out in support of Warne. "Shane Warne has emphatically denied the reports which have surfaced out of India overnight," said the acting chief executive David Fouvy, "and at this stage, Cricket Australia does not consider these current allegations credible to warrant any formal investigation."

"Cricket Australia is fully committed to ensuring cricket remains free from corruption. If we are presented with any credible allegations of misconduct against Australian players or officials, these will be fully investigated."