Shane Warne was sent home from the 2003 World Cup after testing positive for a banned diuretic, receiving a one-year ban from cricket.
On the eve of the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Shane Warne was sent home after testing positive for a banned diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). Warne, who had been expected to be a key player for Australia's defense of their World Cup title, was immediately stood down.
Warne claimed he had taken a fluid tablet given to him by his mother to improve his appearance before media commitments. He said he wanted to lose some weight for the cameras and did not know the substance was banned. While the explanation was widely ridiculed, the ACB Anti-Doping hearing accepted that Warne did not take the substance to enhance performance.
Warne was banned for one year from all cricket. The ban ruled him out of the 2003 World Cup, which Australia went on to win without him. He returned to cricket in 2004 and continued his legendary career, eventually retiring in 2007 with 708 Test wickets.
While not directly a match-fixing incident, the failed drug test added to the cloud over Warne's integrity, following the earlier revelation of his payments from a bookmaker. The diuretic positive raised questions because such substances can be used as masking agents for other drugs, though no evidence of this was ever found in Warne's case.
Banned for one year from all cricket. Missed the 2003 World Cup. Returned successfully in 2004.
Cricket Canada
12 May 2026
ICC suspended six months of funding to Cricket Canada over governance failures and financial misreporting — 63% of their total revenue.
Multiple franchises
8 May 2026
The IPL's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) submitted a formal report to the BCCI in May 2026 flagging "certain anomalies" observed across the league stage: unauthorised persons had been seen in the team dugout, on the team bus, and at team hotels during IPL matches in apparent breach of anti-corruption Standard Operating Procedures. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed the report publicly and warned that "very stringent action" would be taken if violations continued. Separately, the BCCI tightened protocols after reports that certain franchise owners had been seen mingling with players in restricted areas — a specific interaction prohibited under the anti-corruption framework.
Various county sides
1865-08-01
Despite MCC's attempts to reduce gambling on cricket through the 1840s and 1850s, county cricket in the 1860s still operated in a culture where betting was widespread and where allegations of arranged results circulated freely among those closest to the game. Several county fixtures of the decade generated suspicion among contemporaries that the outcome had been agreed in advance, though the absence of formal investigation meant that no players were ever charged.