World Cup Update

Warne keeps the jackpot despite puffs and buttsSYDNEY: Shane Warne will keep 200,000 128,000 US payed by a sponsor for staying off the...

Warne keeps the jackpot despite puffs and butts

SYDNEY: Shane Warne will keep 200,000 128,000 US payed by a sponsor for staying off the cigarettes despite being caught smoking three days before the bet was due to end.

Australia8217;s spin king, previously a 40-a-day man, told reporters he had won his battle to kick the habit and banked the cash, but pictures published here today show him puffing away in a Barbados bar days before the stunt concluded.

Warne claimed the cigarette on April 25 was a mere blip8217; in an otherwise smoke-free four-month deal with Nicorette chewing gum manufacturer Upjohn and Pharmacia to pack it in.

8220;It had been quite a stressful 10-week period and unfortunately I had a night out with the lads, it was quite late at night and I gave into the temptation once,8221; he was quoted as saying in The Australian, which printed the picture.

He said he had phoned Nicorette to confess immediately, although the paper regurgitated a Warne quote from April 28 in which he saidrumours of him lighting up were untrue.

Nicorette, who are said to have reaped 2 million dollars in free publicity in terms of newspaper space and television and radio airtime from the stunt, said they forgave the allegedly reformed smoker.

Taylor fears Aussie burnout

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SYDNEY: Former Test captain Mark Taylor said today that fatigue posed the biggest threat to Australia8217;s chances of winning the forthcoming World Cup.

Taylor said Australia8217;s players had been on the road since last year8217;s Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and may find it difficult keeping themselves focused on the tournament.

8220;The fact that they8217;ve played a lot of cricket is the greatest danger,8221; Taylor said. 8220;The hardest thing for the Australians is not to look arourd the corner at the break and think about that. They8217;ve got to think about playing well over the next few weeks to win the World Cup.8221;

McGrath eyes county move

CARDIFF: Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath is considering a move to an English countynext season.

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8220;County cricket is an option for me, it is something I would like to do,8221; said the 29-year-old, who has taken 232 Test wickets.

8220;I8217;m talking to a few clubs at the moment, and my manager is coming over shortly to see whether or not I will come to England in the 2000 season.8221;

Mcgrath has taken advice from West Indies8217; Courtney Walsh and South African speedster Allan Donald about what he might expect in English cricket.

8220;A couple of seasons here is not going to kill me,8221; he added.