Warne urged to clear the air

2003-08-12 12:30

Melbourne - Controversial Australian Test cricketer Shane Warne needs to clear the air with team-mates about his latest off-field drama, his state coach David Hookes said on Tuesday.

South African woman Helen Cohen Alon, 45, has accused Warne of harassment and claims she was offered R200 000 by an associate of Warne to keep quiet about their relationship, phone calls and a series of text messages.

The sensational allegations have led to reports that some unnamed team-mates are fed up with the adverse publicity Warne attracts.

Hookes said the stand-off situation would probably remain difficult until 33-year-old Warne broke his silence and gave his side of the story.

"It's rare for Shane not to speak," Hookes said here on Tuesday.

"It's probably going to be tense until Warney speaks. From his mates' point of view, when they hear from Shane then they can make some judgment."

Hookes was left to face the media when Warne, who is serving a 12-month ban for taking a banned diuretic, did not attend a Victorian squad training session.

But Hookes said it was unfair to judge the 107-Test veteran on the latest controversy.

"I think Warney handles himself pretty well on the majority of occasions," Hookes said.

Moralistic view

"Occasionally he does things that we put a moralistic view on and that's pretty unfair of us."

His view was echoed by Warne's state team-mate Matthew Elliott, who said the high-profile spin bowler should be left alone to sort out the situation.

"It's just a private issue and best be kept that way I think (to) give him some space to work it all out," Elliott said.

"Before we all start pointing the finger let's get down to the real facts and make sure everything gets sorted out."

Hookes said the controversy "certainly wouldn't" affect Warne as a player and had not been officially discussed by his state team-mates.

He also rejected suggestions that cricket authorities were tiring of the problems associated with Warne, which have ranged from phone sex harassment allegations from an English nurse to accepting money for information from a bookmaker and his positive drug test.

"I'm not sure you get weary of it - it's part and parcel of having a job that's in charge of a group of blokes," Hookes said.

Former Australian captain Greg Chappell said he had no doubt Warne could regain his Test place next year despite the excellent form of fellow spinner Stuart MacGill against Bangladesh and the West Indies over the past few months.

But Chappell said Warne needed to retain his desire to play cricket otherwise the drug ban could affect his future.

"If the break confirms in his own mind that he wants to play more, it will have been good for him," Chappell said.

"But, if he's not missing cricket, then it will make a difference. He needs the desire because it's not just a matter of running in and rolling your arm over."

- AFP