Cricket: Salim awaits 'sledging'

Salim Malik expects to face "sledging" in Australia in the wake of the bribery claims controversy. The former Pakistan captain, cleared 10 days ago of allegations he offered bribes to three Australians to play poorly in Pakistan last year, yesterday left to join his team-mates on their tour of Australia.

He said he could not predict what reception he would get, but was anticipating hostile comments on the field. "When I visited Australia for the first time many years ago I came across the word "sledging" and experienced some of it. The only pressure on me is that I must get my batting form as quickly as possible. I have not played even domestic cricket and I am short of match practice."

Australia's Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh alleged Salim offered them bribes to play poorly on their team's 1994 tour of Pakistan. Salim, who denied their charges, said he was going to Australia with the sole aim of playing cricket and, as far as he was concerned, the matter was closed after the inquiry set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board exonerated him.

The Australian Cricket Board has criticised the game's ruling body, the International Cricket Council, for not carrying out its own investigation into the allegations against Salim.

The ICC will not comment for a week on Australia's criticism, saying yesterday that only its chief executive, David Richards, was authorised to speak to the media and he would not be in his office until next Monday.

Salim added: "Now the matter is between the two boards and I would not offer any comment on any aspect of the incident here in Pakistan or anywhere else."

England give up on Malcolm, page 25