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'I'm a cricketer with integrity'

The statement made by Australian cricketer Shane Warne on his involvement in a betting scandal on the 1994 tour of Sri Lanka.

During the course of the 1994 tour of Sri Lanka, before we went to Pakistan, I was approached by a man, who I later discovered to be a bookmaker from India.

He gave me $ 5,000 and in return he spoke to me on several occasions for routine questions like what the pitch was like, what the weather conditions were.

I never at any stage told him about team tactics or selections.

As the captain of Victoria and a senior Australian cricketer, I regularly provide much more detailed information to the media before any match I play.

However, I realise that I was very naive and stupid.

I was fined $ 8,000 by the ACB and paid the fine immediately.

I've had no contact with the bookmaker since and am very disappointed and sorry for my actions.

I've always strived to do the best I can for my country and I think that the way I've played and conducted myself on the field shows that I'm a cricketer with integrity, who has never given anything but his best.

I deeply regret this action off the field and wish to state that playing for Australia is the greatest honour I've had in my cricketing career.

I must emphasise that I have never ever been involved in any match fixing or bribery in any cricket matches at any stage of my career.