The Hindu : Shane Warne fails dope test, out of World Cup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2003

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Shane Warne fails dope test, out of World Cup

By G. Viswanath

Shane Warne addressing a press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday. — Reuters

JOHANNESBURG FEB. 11. Defending champion Australia's World Cup preparation received a setback on Monday night, before its crucial Cup opener against Pakistan, when legspinner, Shane Warne, "stepped down" from the 15-member squad, leaving skipper Ricky Ponting a leading bowling weapon and match-winner short.

Warne, according to the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA), has tested positive for diuretics on samples he provided in Sydney on January 22. Warne will return home to complete the testing procedures and for a hearing to be held under the Australian Cricket Board's anti-doping policy.

The January 22 test was conducted as part of the board's internal drug-testing system.

Soon after Warne stood down from the team, Australia sought permission to allow it to choose a replacement.

`Shocked and devastated'

On Tuesday, Warnelooked disappointed at the turn of events and read a prepared text: "I was shocked and absolutely devastated to be informed by the ASDA yesterday that a test sample which was collected in Australia on the 22nd of January indicated the presence of a prohibited substance. The full process of analysing and testing procedures are not complete until my B sample is fully examined in Australia later this week. I am shocked because I do not take performance-enhancing drugs and do not condone them in any way shape or form. I am proud to be in the shape I am in at the moment and that is due to nothing other than hard work and looking after myself with diet. I did take a fluid tablet before my comeback game in Sydney (following the dislocation to of his shoulder of his bowling hand) which I did not know contained a prohibited substance. The tablet actually dehydrates you and gets rid of any excess fluid in your body, and as I understand, it is not performance-enhancing. I have decided to return home to address the situation personally. The ASDA has conducted random tests for a long time now in conjunction with the ACB and my previous tests have always come back negative. So will any future ones.''

`Preliminary result'

According to the ACB, which conducts about 50 to 60 random tests on its players every year, the results were preliminary and subject to confirmation. The ACB chief, James Sutherland, said that should the Anti-Doping Committee conclude that Warne had not committed a doping offence the board would ask the World Cup Event Technical Committee for approval for Warne to be reinstated. Australia plays India in its next Group `A' league match at the Supersport Park, Centurion on Saturday.

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