ACB still content for Warne scandal to remain private

BRISBANE, June 12 AAP - The Australian Cricket Board will let the Shane Warne sex scandal rest as a private matter for the Test vice-captain "at this stage". An ACB spokesman said today chief executive Malcolm Speed could meet with Warne next week when he flies to London for an ICC meeting.

But there was no immediate talk of disciplinary action for the record-breaking leg-spinner following his latest controversy.

Nurse Donna Wright, 22, told the Daily Mirror newspaper in London that Warne harassed her with a series of unwanted and "disgusting" messages to her mobile telephone.

Warne has not commented on the story, which continued a fluctuating year for the 30-year-old.

In March, Warne became Australia's most successful Test bowler when he claimed his 356th wicket during a triumphant tour of New Zealand.

But he ran into trouble on the tour when he was accused of swearing at a teenage boy and trying to grab his bag during a one-day international in Wellington.

Warne was annoyed when the youth took a photograph of him smoking on the players' balcony during a rain delay.

Meanwhile, the ACB was not pushing panic buttons following the controversy surrounding the poor playing surface at Melbourne's Colonial Stadium.

The AFL was forced to move a match between St Kilda and Hawthorn to the MCG last weekend but the ACB had no similar plans for its historic closed-roof one-day series between Australia and South Africa in August.

An ACB spokesman said experienced curator Les Burdett was overseeing the preparation of the ground while players' association boss Tim May was also monitoring its progress.