The Cricket Masala.Com

Wicket gets stickier for Warne By Roy Masters and Jacquelin Magnay February 19 2003 Analysis of Shane Warne’s positive drug test indicates that the Australian cricket star must have taken more than one banned diuretic tablet. This contradicts statements by Warne, 33, that he took just one Moduretic tablet, supplied by his mother, Brigitte, in the days leading up to his January 22 media conference at which he announced his retirement from one-day cricket. A source close to the investigation told the Herald yesterday that Warne’s drug test produced a result which reflected the use of more than one diuretic tablet. Diuretics are banned in sport as they can mask steroid use, while they also can be used to lose weight rapidly. “Warne must have taken more than one tablet to get the effect he has registered,” the source said. The drug analysis, prepared at the Australian Sports Drug Agency’s laboratory in Pymble, will also be studied for any evidence of drugs the diuretic may have masked, such as minute levels of steroids not reported earlier because they may have been below standard thresholds. Past drugs tests given by Warne over his international career may also be examined to establish if there has been a change to his profile pattern. Following the revelations of the positive test earlier this month, Warne read a statement upon his return to Melbourne from the World Cup in South Africa on February 12. In part, it said: “The fluid tablet I took before appearing to announce …