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ACB reject new bribe allegations against Warne

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has dismissed fresh allegations of match-fixing against star leg-spinner Shane Warne as "scurrilous rumour".

The latest allegations were made by former Australian Test batsman David Hookes, in an interview on Melbourne radio on Thursday.

Malcolm Speed, ACB chief executive, in London with the Australian World Cup squad, said the match-fixing investigation against Warne was over. Hookes, then a journalist, reportedly said there was more to come in the match-fixing scandal although he later withdrew his comments.

Warne and teammate Mark Waugh were fined in February 1995 for providing match information to an Indian bookmaker during Australia's tour to Sri Lanka in 1994-95. Waugh was fined US$6,500, and Warne US$5,200, for accepting $3,900 and $3,250 respectively. Both players admitted to being "stupid and naive" for getting involved with the bookmaker but denied any involvement in match-fixing.

Earlier this year, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) underwent an independent inquiry by a high-ranking lawyer into their handling of the matter and released a report.

Speed said there was no new inquiry. "As far as we can tell it's a scurrilous rumour that's completely unsubstantiated. As far the ACB are concerned ... the 1995 issue is well and truly behind us, and it's about time (Warne) was allowed to get on and play the game."