HAMPSHIRE cricket captain Shane Warne is at the centre of a tax evasion probe into allegations he failed to declare hundreds of thousands of pounds managed in offshore accounts.

According to reports Warne is among a number of international cricketers who have become embroiled in the investigation by Australian tax officers.

It is understood that that the players may have been wrongly advised that they did not need to declare their English income to the Australian authorities.

A source close to Warne has insisted the record breaking leg spinner has been inadvertently caught up in the probe.

"It's all totally clean," said the source, "His accountants are speaking with the tax department."

His manager James Erskine has also said the 37-year-old is working with the authorities. Mr Erskine, confirmed Warne had told the tax office he had paid tax correctly and was happy to co-operate with the investigation.

The tax office is understood to have contacted Warne's accountant to arrange an audit.

Warne, who quit test cricket after Austrailia's Ashes win this winter but will honour his Rose Bowl contract for the next two years.