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Shane Warne has been ordered to appear before the International Cricket Council after launching a scathing attack on Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

David Richards, the ICC chief executive, said he reviewed Warne's column, which appeared in The Times on Friday, and lodged a complaint, alleging the Australian vice-captain had breached the ICC code of conduct.

Warne's comments that cricket would be better off without Ranatunga may earn him a fine or even suspension, with Jagmohan Dalmiya, the ICC president, confirming: ``He will be asked to appear to see if it is a breach of our code of conduct.''

The leg-spinner wrote: ``Frankly, Sri Lanka - and the game overall would be better off without him. I don't like him, and I'm not in a club of one.''

Warne also claimed that the 35-year-old Sri Lankan batsman had, on occasions, failed to lead his team in the true spirit of the game. He added: ``Sri Lanka are not as powerful as the side that won in 1996 and as far as I am concerned the problems stem from their captain.

``Ranatunga might be a shrewd, experienced leader but his batting is not what it was and he is terrible in the field.''

The Australian Cricket Board moved quickly, reportedly telephoning the team's hotel in Worcester - where the players are preparing for their opening World Cup match against Scotland today - as soon as the column was released to express their concern.

Ranatunga responded after his side's defeat by England on Friday, saying: ``We come from 2,500 years of culture and we all know where they come from.''

The veteran player is still under a suspended six-match ban for leading his side off the field during a one-day match against England in Australia earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Australian selector Allan Border believes the bust-up with Ranatunga may discourage Warne from touring Sri Lanka with the Australian team later this year. ``It will be interesting if Warne makes himself available for that one,'' Border said.