Match-fixing allegations 'bloody hot air'

Australian captain Steve Waugh says it is time for the accusers in cricket's bribery scandal to put up or shut up.

Waugh said he is tiring of hearing constant match-fixing talk overshadowing the game he has played for more than 15 years at the highest level.

The latest reports are from India with three unnamed Australian players said to be mentioned in a report compilied by India's Central Bureau of Investigation. However, Waugh said such talk was just "bloody hot air at the moment."

"It's all rumour and innuendo and hearsay, nothing is concrete.

"I think it is (put up or shut up time) and I think everyone has had enough of it."

Waugh's comments were echoed Tuesday by Test batsman Ricky Ponting, who was in Brisbane with the Tasmanian side preparing for Thursday's first-class game.

"The sooner it's all cleaned up and out of the papers the better it will be for the game's sake," said Ponting.

Waugh said it was so frustrating to see baseless allegations continually popping up and overshadowing the on-field action.

"Just when you think you've started to see some good cricket again, then we start talking about off-field stuff again," he said.

"It's time to just get on with the cricket and when something comes up that is worthwhile then print it but until then these rumours just keep going around.

"And it doesn't do any good to anyone, it hangs over everyone in the game and it is a slight on the game."

Mail Cricket Editor