Warne failed to honour promise

Australian spin bowler Shane Warne failed to honour his promise to donate money to help rebuild the Galle cricket stadium wrecked by the 2004 tsunami, a Sri Lankan cricket official said Saturday.

Shane Warne

''Shane is a fine cricketer, one of the best of our time, but he is not good at keeping promises,'' Jayananda Warnaweera, director of the Galle International Cricket Stadium told The Associated Press by telephone from the southern city, one of the wost affected by the 2004 tsunami.

Warnaweera, who played test cricket for Sri Lanka for 10 years from 1985, said he was pained to see that Warne, who took his 500th test wicket at the Galle stadium and promised the money, had not kept his word.

''We have not received a cent,'' said Warnaweera, who is also the curator of the ground.

One of the world's most picturesque cricket stadiums, Galle was to be abandoned after the tsunami, which inflicted huge damages to the infrastructure and required the removal of 3 to 4 inches (10 to 8 centimeters) of top soil on the center pitches. The entire drainage system also needs to be replaced.

Since being converted into an international test venue in 1998, Galle International Stadium has hosted 12 tests.

In February, 2006 Warne visited Galle and promised help through the Shane Warne Foundation. Warne had a personal affection for the Galle Stadium because it was where he captured his 500th test wicket when Australia toured Sri Lanka in early 2004.

Warnaweera said Warne had promised during TV interviews that he will be able to donate a big amount for the reconstruction of the Galle Stadium. - AP