Tara Stout: This has damaged the reputation of the Australian Cricket Board

Justice Malik Mohammed Qayyum had ordered the two players to appear before the inquiry panel following their admission that they accepted money from a bookmaker for providing pitch and weather information during the 1994 tour to Sri Lanka.

But Warne and Waugh declined to travel to Pakistan and hopes of setting up a live video link proved unworkable.

The inquiry was set up after Warne, Waugh and former Australian teammate Tim May accused Pakistani batsman Salim Malik of offering them a bribe during the 1994 series between the teams.

Waugh gave evidence during Australia's trip to Pakistan earlier this year but did not mention his involvement with the bookmaker.

The Australian Cricket Board has, meanwhile, set up its own inquiry into betting on cricket matches.

It will be headed by Rob O'Regan QC, the former chairman of Queensland's Criminal Justice Commission, who will begin work on January 12.

His investigation, which is expected to last three weeks, will be conducted in private but the findings will be made public in February.

"It will be a private inquiry, not for any sinister reason but simply because, in my view, based on some experience, that is the best way of arriving at the truth," he explained.

He hopes to speak to every player who has represented Australia since 1992.