Australian and world cricketing great Shane Warne has been sent home from the World Cup after failing a drugs test.
Australian Cricket Board chief executive officer Mr James Sutherland revealed at a Johannesburg press conference this morning that the leg spinner had tested positive for a diuretic - a drug often used to help weight loss or as a masking agent for other drugs.
Sutherland said Warne would be flying home immediately and would have further tests in Australia. If he passes those tests he could be reinstated to the Australian World Cup squad.
Warne has been recovering from a shoulder injury and has been on a fitness programme since the start of 2002.
The drugs test, carried out by the ACB, was a routine test.
Sutherland said: "I am here today to announce that Shane Warne has expressed his wish to stand down from the Australian World Cup team and will return to Australia today to complete further drug tests and face a hearing under the ACB anti-doping policy.
"This follows Shane's advice to us that the Australian Sports Drugs Agency have told him he has tested positive for a diuretic on samples he provided in Sydney last month.
"Shane notified the ACB yesterday [Monday] as soon as he received the news and he believes the failed tested is because of a flu reduction medication he took in Sydney last month," Sutherland said.
"The ACB has referred the matter to the ACB anti-doping committee based on our belief that he may have committed an offence under the ACB anti-doping rules. The hearing will take place in Melbourne as soon as possible.
"We have advised the ICC of the situation and have applied to the technical committee for approval to replace Shane in the World Cup squad committee," Sutherland added.
PA