Essex skipper Ronnie Irani has denied newspaper reports that Aussie star Shane Warne made derogatory comments about his mother during a bout of verbal fisticuffs while he was batting in last week's Championship clash against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.
"I can categorically state that Shane did not say anything inappropriate about my mother to me," he said.
"But I can confirm there was a fair bit of sledging going on when I was batting. I'm afraid I got very frustrated with the situation and confronted Shane about the abuse.
"These things happen from time to time in the heat of the moment and I apologise to any spectators in the crowd who may have heard me use bad language when I left the field."
Both Warne and Irani were summoned to the umpires room where they apologised and were given a ticking off.
"Shane and I shook hands later when we had both calmed down," said Irani.
The matter is now closed, according to Essex Chief Executive David East.
"Ronnie has fully explained the situation and club is satisfied that this was a heat of a moment exchange that is regretted by our captain," he said.
Published Monday August 9, 2004
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