Shane Warne escapes further punishment (18 May 1999)

18 May 1999

Shane Warne escapes further punishment

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

WORCESTER, Monday - Australian vice-captain Shane Warne already under a two-match suspended sentence and fined half his match fee for his newspaper attacks on Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga escaped further punishment when he poked his finger in the air at Scottish supporters during the World Cup Group 'B' match against Scotland played at New Road here yesterday.

Warne was upset by the kilted clan who sang and shouted their way through Scotlands World Cup debut match which Australia won by six wickets.

The Tartan Army as they call themselves came armed with a brass band and a mighty inflatable whale as a bloated representation of the leg-spinner and taunted Warne every time he peered dismissively in their direction. After one chorus too many of "He ate all the pies", Warne eventually lost his cool and gave them the one finger gesture.

Fortunately for Warne, ICC match referee for the match Sri Lankas Ranjan Madugalle did not see the incident and no one lodged an official complaint.

That was not all, when Warne came on to bowl, the Tartan Army began playing the song "Amazing Grace". Later when Australia were batting, Warne refused to sign a stuffed up duck for a member of the Tartan Army. He returned angrily saying: "He is a miserable b......d" and shortly afterwards the Army broke out into a song "Warne refused to autograph the duck".

Warne is considering retiring from the game after the World Cup and it could be the reason why he is having a crack at everyone . Warne has gone on record to say that he will review his performance after the World Cup before deciding on his future which could mean that he may not be on the tour to Sri Lanka in August this year.

He has already lost his Test bowling place to fellow leg-spinner Stuart MacGill and his place is assured only in the Australian one-day team.

Scotland made the best use of some poor Australian outcricket to run up a total of 181 for 7 in 50 overs.

Although Australia came out victorious in this contest replying with 182 for 4 with the Waugh brothers (Man of the Match Mark (67) and captain Steve (49 not out) doing the bulk of the scoring, it was a poor day all round for them. The Scots made Australia work hard for their runs.

Apart from the two points they collected the Australians had a lot of homework to do if they are to live up to the bookmakers prediction as the tournaments favourites for the final. They bowled 30 wides and no balls, dropped three routine catches and fielded so raggedly it was difficult to believe Scotland were the amateurs.

Source :: The Daily News (https://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/)