Shane Warne, Shane Warne, Shane Warne. Tut. Tut. Tut. What else can I say??? It all started around January 20th when he took a banned drug, called Moduretic, so as to have a slimming effect - a “fluid tablet” is what Warney called it. Apparently, it was given to him by his mother - this has been confirmed by Warne - who badgered Warne to take the tablet to look more “slim” before his press conference, where he told the world of his retirement from International One-Day Cricket after the World Cup.
it was reported that Shane Warne’s mum continually told Warne to take the drug, in the end Warne succumbing to the pressure of his mum’s plea’s and taking the tablet. Allegedly, the tablet has a “slimming effect” in just 1 to 3 hours. Ponting has been quoted as saying that Warne’s mum sometimes takes the tablet before she goes out at night “just to look that little bit better”.
What’s the drug really meant do? “The drug is available on prescription and is widely used in the treatment of hypertension, high blood pressure and fluid retention.” ACB. Obviously, the drug is in no way going to enhance Warne’s performance, on the field that is - not in front of the camera, so why the reaction that has taken place? Well, simply because people can use the Moduretic medication to potentially act as a masking agent for steroids by diluting traces of the substance in the urine.
So do I think Warney has taken steroids and that is why he took the banned “fluid pill” to mask the steroids. Certainly not. Is Warney stupid? YES, bloody stupid. They’ve been educated about drugs and masking agents according to Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA).
If Warne hadn’t gone to an optional training session around the time he took the pill - he would never had been tested, and everything would be right with the world today. All I can hope for is to hear the sounds of Gilchrist coming through the speakers of my Sony television, “Bowled Shane!”