Australia star Shane Warne was reported on Monday to be fighting to save his marriage after new claims he cheated on his wife with a student.
The 35-year-old spin bowler, who has been involved in a series of scandals, allegedly stripped naked and begged Laura Sayers (25) for sex before she gave in to his pleas, The Daily Mirror reports.
It could be the last straw for Warne’s long-suffering wife Simone — who moved from Melbourne to England with their three children just last week to be with her husband.
The Sunday Mirror revealed Warne’s one-night stand with Laura, who was not very complimentary about his style.
”It was all over very quickly. He wasn’t very well endowed,” she said.
Warne refused to comment on the claims, issuing a short statement on Monday saying he was sick of having to defend himself against publicity-seekers who try to gain notoriety at his expense.
Warne declined to respond directly to Sayers’ claims.
”We have seen the story today in the UK press,” said a statement issued by Warne’s manager and brother Jason.
”We are not prepared to continually defend ourselves against publicity seeking individuals whose purpose is to gain notoriety for themselves at Shane Warne’s expense.
”Shane Warne is in England with his family enjoying playing for Hampshire and is focused on defending the Ashes with Australia.”
Laura said she hopes Warne’s marriage survives.
”At the time I didn’t know he was married. Had I known it never would have happened. I feel sorry for his wife and the effect this had had. Hopefully they will work it all out,” she told the Mirror.
Laura met Warne in the West End of London when he was on a night out with Hampshire teammate and England rival Kevin Pietersen and his girlfriend.
The four went back to Pietersen’s flat where the bowler made his move.
”He was persistent. He took off all his clothes and I asked him if he had a condom. I guessed he didn’t, so I thought that would be the end of it.”
But he disappeared and returned with one. Laura confessed: ”I gave in.”
In 2000, Warne was stripped of the Aussie vice captaincy after pestering nurse Donna Wright with explicit calls. Three years later married stripper Angela Gallagher claimed she had a three-month affair with him. – Sapa-AFP