Sydney, Feb 11: A leading sports medicine expert in Australia today said that he was "amazed" by the ignorance of star leg spinner Shane Warne after it was revealed today that he tested positive for diuretics. Asserting he did not know the circumstances leading to Warne's positive test, Dr Peter Larkins told Melbourne Radio 3 AW that the diuretics found in the leg-spinner's sample were usually prescribed for people with heart failure.
An Australian Cricket Board (ACB) press release said Warne had traces of the diuretics hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride in his system.
Dr Larkins said both diuretics were commonly prescribed, but as they were fairly strong he was "amazed" both were in Warne's positive test.
ACB chief executive James Sutherland today confirmed Warne had tested positive to diuretics and would undergo a hearing in Melbourne with the ACB anti-doping unit.
Warne said he took a fluid tablet before his comeback match in Sydney last month, unaware it contained diuretics.
According to experts, diuretics are used by athletes primarily for weight loss. Diuretics increase the amount of urine produced by the body and have been used in the past by weightlifters to fall within weight restrictions.
Diuretics can also be used to dilute urine produced by the body in order to prevent the detection of other substances, such as anabolic agents. Bureau Report