Warne tested positive for a diuretic which he claimed his mother gave him

But the brilliant leg spinner chose to fly home from South Africa after going public about his positive drug test.

According to Australia's top drug tester, Warne could have played in the tournament if he decided not to publicly announce the results of his 'A' test while awaiting the outcome of a second 'B' test.

But John Mendoza, chief executive of the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA), told a government hearing on Wednesday that Warne decided to go public on the first test and return home to fight the charges.

"He has rights...which could have meant he could have stayed in South Africa," Mendoza said.

WARNE'S RECORD 107 Tests, 491 wickets, average 25.71, BB 8-71 193 ODIs, 291 wickets, average 25.82, BB 5-33 One of Wisden's five cricketers of the 20th century

"But he, in my view quite wisely, elected to forego those rights and remove himself from the team so the team could get on with the business of what it was to do in South Africa."

Warne quit the Australian team just days before the start of the World Cup in February after being told he had tested positive for a diuretic which he claimed his mother gave him.

The 33-year-old insisted he did not knowingly take a performance-enhancing drug but was found guilty of the offence and later banned for 12 months.

Australia went on to win the tournament for the third time despite the absence of their star spinner.