/ 27 March 2003

Warne will get a cut of Australia’s spoils

Shane Warne, suspended by the Australian Cricket Board over a positive drug test, will receive up to $9 000 for Australia’s World Cup win despite not bowling a ball in the tournament.

Warne was in South Africa for 11 days before he informed team officials that he had tested positive to a banned diuretic. He returned to Australia and was suspended for 12 months.

Peter Young, the ACB’s general manager of public affairs, said on Wednesday that Warne would get part of the $2-million that Australia received for winning the tournament for the second consecutive time.

”Shane is eligible for payments up until he was suspended,” Young said. ”It was a formula the players came up with for payment.

Up until he was suspended, Shane was entitled to the money.”

Australia defeated India by 125 runs in Sunday’s final at Johannesburg. – Sapa-AP