Shane Warne escapes further punishment (18 May 1999)
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
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/)