Waugh's future in hands of ICC after meeting with Melick

MELBOURNE - Australian batsman Mark Waugh admitted today his playing future lay in the hands of the International Cricket Council after again denying allegations he ever received money from illegal Indian bookmaker Mukesh Gupta.

Waugh was grilled by Australian Cricket Board investigator Greg Melick for just over two hours in Melbourne this morning over allegations he accepted $US20,000 from Gupta during a 1993 tournament in Hong Kong to provide team, weather and pitch information.

However afterwards he was unsure whether his name would be cleared as a result of the interview.

"That's not up to me, that's up to the ICC," he said.

"(But) I answered all the questions that were asked of me in the interview."

Melick refused to release details of the interview but said it would be part of a report being prepared by the ICC's anti-corruption unit into cricket betting and bribery scandals worldwide.

"As you are all aware this is a part of an on-going investigation taking place in many countries and the interview will be considered along with all others as part of the on-going investigation," he said.

"A report will be forthcoming when it's finished but as for the timing of when it will be finished, I can't enlighten you."

Melick however confirmed Waugh co-operated fully during the interview after initially having refused to meet with the ACB's investigator. It was only under the threat of being stood down from the national team that Waugh finally agreed to meet with Melick.

"He answered all the questions and he was very co-operative which was appreciated," Melick said of Waugh.

Waugh, who has previously been fined by the ACB for accepting $US5000 from a bookmaker known only as "John" while in Sri Lanka in 1994, again denied he had ever met Gupta.

The veteran batsman was shown a picture of Gupta during his interview but again said it was not the man he dealt with in Sri Lanka.

"I've seen the photo of Gupta. I don't know who is in the photo," he said. "As I've said before I've met one bookmaker and that was John."

Gupta's evidence against former South African captain Hansie Cronje and Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin was crucial in both those players eventually being banned from the game for life.

In both cases Gupta alleged those players had fixed matches, allegations which were later substantiated.

However significantly Gupta refused to back up his allegations against Waugh when investigators flew to India to interview him recently.

Waugh, who only last night produced his highest ever score for Australia of 173 in the second tri series final against the West Indies, was satisfied with how today's interview was conducted.

"I was a little bit nervous but I was fine once I was in there," he said. "It was quite a friendly interview.

"But I'm obviously glad it's all over."

"I'm happy to get on with the rest of the season now."