ACB alleges bid to blackmail

Australian police are investigating allegations that a man tried to blackmail the Australian Cricket Board over an unsubstantiated incident involving leg spinner Shane Warne.

Victorian state police on Monday told local media a man had been arrested at Melbourne airport in connection with the case, but did not provide many more details.

"It's alleged a man from interstate demanded a sum of cash from the ACB in January this year," a police spokesman was reported saying.

"At this stage no-one has been charged and the investigation is continuing."

Australian television reported a man had demanded hush money from the ACB after a top player allegedly tried to kiss his teenage niece in Queensland in January.

An ACB spokesman Brendan McClements said the board immediately notified the police.

"We were concerned about what was being said to us and the Victorian police are investigating," McClements told Australian television.

Neither police or the ACB would name the player at the centre of the allegations but Warne, in South Africa with the Australian team, released a statement acknowledging he was the player, but denied any wrongdoing.

"Obviously, I can't comment and I can't speak about the specifics of the case, but I would like to put on record the fact it's all rubbish and it's disappointing and it's sad that these people have tried to take advantage of my high profile, who I am and the Australian Cricket Board," Warne said in the statement.

Warne's Australian team mate Brett Lee released a short statement supporting him.

"I was with Shane on the day in question and I can say categorically that nothing untoward took place," Lee said.

Mail Cricket Editor