Warne - Fined for pitch information

The incident happened four years earlier during a tour of Sri Lanka and the pair were subsequently fined.

The latest allegations come just a month after the International Cricket Council announced tough new measures aimed at eliminating corruption which has tarnished the game's image.

They include the setting up of an independent Corruption Investigation group and life bans for any players or officials found guilty of match fixing or betting offences.

But former Test off-spinner Tim May, now head of the Australian Cricketers' Association, has warned that he is considering legal action over the latest claims.

"It's very important that your reputaion remains intact. I'm fully aware of that and I say that with a very clean conscience," he said.

Revelation

Cricket has again been under the microscope since former South African captain Hansie Cronje admitted receiving money from a bookmaker to provide information.

The International Cricket Council is awaiting a report from Pakistan following a judicial inquiry into allegations of corruption against players, including Malik.

South Africa has, meanwhile, launched its own investigation and has asked Indian police to release tapes of an alleged telephone conversation between Cronje and the bookmaker.

British newspapers, meanwhile, reported on Monday on moves to establish a strict anti-betting code in the English game.

Professional Cricketers' Association chief David Graveney, also the chairman of the England selection panel, was said to be drawing up the code with Gerard Elias, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board's disciplinary committee.

"The game must not just be clean, but be seen to be clean," Graveney was quoted as saying.