Waugh's dealings lasted for 'months' (9 January 1999)

9 January 1999

Waugh's dealings lasted for 'months'

By Joe Cochrane in Melbourne

MARK WAUGH said yesterday that his dealings with an illegal Indian bookmaker known as 'John' had lasted longer than he previously had admitted.

Waugh said in a statement at a special session of the Pakistan corruption inquiry in Melbourne that he had told a news conference in Adelaide last month that he spoke to the bookmaker on a "handful" of occasions during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in 1994.

"However, after giving this more thought, I now believe that I spoke to 'John' on approximately 10 occasions," he said, admitting they had been in contact for about five months.

The Australian batsman said he received a payment of £2,500. "I told him that I was prepared to talk to him about pitch and weather conditions, but not individuals, team tactics or team selection. He agreed to deal with me on that basis."

Shane Warne, Waugh's team-mate, said he accepted more than £3,000 from the same bookmaker, believing there were "no strings attached".

Warne said that a man known to him only as 'John' gave him the money the day after they met at a Sri Lankan casino on the same tour.

"I appreciate now that I made a mistake," Warne said. "At the time I was 24. I was naive and stupid. I regret my actions."

Both Australians received a discreet but hefty fine from the Australian Cricket Board when the payments came to light in February 1995.

Warne said he had been introduced to 'John' by Waugh. 'John' approached him at a casino and told him he had noticed that he had lost money and that he was his favourite cricketer.

Warne added: "He handed me an envelope. I looked in the envelope and saw that there was money in it. I said: 'What's this?' He said: 'Please accept it as a token of my appreciation for you to take the time to meet me.' "

Warne said he declined the envelope. "I said 'I've got my own money, I'm fine thanks', but 'John' said: 'It's a pleasure to meet you, please take it, there's no strings attached. I don't want anything in return.' "

Warne said he again tried to reject the money, but finally accepted it when the bookmaker said he was wealthy and would be offended if Warne refused.

Warne said he had never seen the man again, though he had been contacted by him several times with requests for information on weather and pitch conditions before matches in Australia.

The inquiry is due to continue today.

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