12 months' suspension is very harsh: Warne

Shortly after being banned for a year by a three-member panel of the Australian Cricket Board's anti-doping committee following positive results for banned substances in his B sample, Shane Warne issued the following statement to the media, the full text of which is reproduced below:

First of all I'd like to say that I am absolutely devastated and very upset at the committee's decision suspending me for 12 months and I will appeal.

I feel that I am a victim of the anti-doping hysteria. I also want to repeat: I have never taken any performance enhancing drugs and I never will.

My shoulder comeback was exactly as my surgeon and physio predicted.

I am proud of the dedication I have shown in my rehabilitation and fitness regime over the past 12 months.

The tablet I took on the 21st of January was a fluid tablet.

I did not know it as a diuretic, I knew it as a fluid tablet.

I feel that a 12 months' suspension is very harsh penalty for not checking what I took with anyone.

I have never blamed my mum, I thought it was important to clarify where the tablet came from.

It had nothing to do with cricket or trying to mask anything. It had to do with appearance.

Playing for Australia and Victoria is my love and I would never knowingly put that in jeopardy. I love playing cricket too much.

To the Australian team, you don't need me to win the World Cup.

You have the talent, the passion and the desire to bring the Cup back to all of us here in Australia.

In finishing, I'd like to say a big thank you to my family and my teammates and to all my friends who have sent me messages and supported me in this very difficult time.

Once again could you please respect the privacy of my family and especially my children.