ACB waiting for Warne

The Australian Cricket Board is waiting for official confirmation of the results of Shane Warne’s second drugs test, but may be kept in the dark until early next week.

The 33-year-old leg-spinner requested to have his ‘B’ sample analysed after his first showed traces of a banned diuretic in his system but the results could take seven days to become public.

The timescale, though, is ultimately dependant on what rights Warne opts to retain.

Under the Australian Sports Drug Agency’s legislation, only the player is informed of the findings – as was the case with the first results, though Warne opted to go public.

ASDA is not at liberty to reveal whether Warne has received the results, though the time frame would suggest he may have.

It is extremely rare for the two samples, both provided at the same time, to show different results – the agency described it as “one in a million” – but protocol dictates should that be the case, the process would be voided.

No such announcement has prompted speculation in Australia that Warne’s second test was also positive.

“Technically the situation is still between Shane and ourselves,” ASDA spokesman Shawn Wynnet told PA International.

Should Warne have received his results, and should they be positive, the Victorian would have a week to enter a submission to ASDA appealing the technical process of his testing.

In that scenario, only at the end of the seven days would the ACB be notified officially and Warne’s name added to the public list.

Wynnet confirmed that is when their direct involvement ends and the case is handed over to the sport.

Warne can speed up the process by informing the ACB himself, a route he has not taken thus far.

“We are waiting to hear,” said ACB public affairs general manager Peter Young. “Once we do get official advice we will move to set up a hearing.

“ASDA lodges the results on a public register. Furthermore, our expectation is that we would be advised by ASDA. And given Shane’s approach we expect to be advised by him too. Shane has been very keen to be very transparent over the issue.”