Waugh backs embattled Warnie

Test captain Steve Waugh has expressed support for Shane Warne and claimed "enemies in the media" were having a crack at the embattled cricketer.

Waugh said he felt for Warne and his family embroiled in another controversy after South African woman Helen Cohen Alon's claimed the leg spinner pestered her with raunchy SMS messages.

Cohen Alon was reportedly considering coming to Australia next week, saying she would bring evidence to back up her allegations.

Waugh's backing came amid reports that Warne's relationship with senior teammates has cooled since the start of his year-long ban for taking a banned drug.

"I am part of the cricket side and we have some loyalty to each other ... I feel for Shane and what's happened," said Waugh.

"He's human, he makes mistakes and I think he pays for his pretty heavily. I certainly support Shane and his family."

"It's a tough time, a lot of people are sort of kicking the boot in right now and a lot of his enemies in the media are having a crack at him.

"As a teammate I feel sorry for him and what's happened, particularly his family."

Warne had been in hiding since the scandal broke on Sunday.

But he has since been tracked down by television crews at the Victorian bayside town of Sorrento and at his mother's house in Melbourne.

Warne did not speak on either occasion.

Waugh said the latest controversy was a personal issue for Warne and his family to deal with and he should not be judged until he'd given his side of the story.

"I don't really have a view because personally it's none of my business what's been going on," he said.

"For Shane it's obviously a pretty major issue for himself and his family.

"I think people should respect that and he's got to work through what's happened and what they're going to do.

"It seems like it's got a lot of media coverage and a massive issue, I think it's a personal one and the people involved should be allowed some time to work it out."

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland finally spoke to Warne about the Cohen Alon controversy, having tried unsuccessfully to contact him earlier.

However a CA spokesman said their conversation would remain confidential.

Sutherland, like Waugh, has said the matter is a private one for Warne and his wife Simone.

He has also admitted the game's image has been hurt by it.

However, Waugh was not so sure.

"Well it's not for me to agree or disagree. Some people would say any news is good news for a sport and publicity and the crowds have been pretty good over the last couple of years.

"But I'm not going to buy into whether it's good or bad.

"It's happened, you know, people have got to deal with it.

"There are much more major issues going on around the world which you would like to see get equal status in the papers but that's not the way of the world these days and it's a big story and we've just got to deal with it the best way we can.

"I don't know the full story, I'm sure you guys don't know it either so you've got to give the guy a fair chance and let him have his say and when he does that, respect what he says and then make a judgment from there.

"But I think a lot of people have make their judgment before they know the facts."