Australian Test fast bowler Glenn McGrath has sought legal advice over claims he called a Sri Lankan opponent a "black monkey".

Former Sri Lanka opener Roshan Mahanama said McGrath directed the insult at Sanath Jayasuriya during the one-day final at the SCG in 1995-96.

The claim is made by Mahanama, who did not play in that match and was not on the field, in his autobiography to be released in Melbourne on Friday.

Australian Cricket Board chief executive Malcolm Speed said he had spoken to McGrath today and the player had denied making the remark "in the strongest possible terms". Speed said the ACB could not investigate the matter because the claim was hearsay and unsubstantiated.

"Any suggestion that an Australian player has been involved in an issue of racial abuse is a serious issue that will be taken very seriously by the ACB," Speed said.

"For us to move forward we need more than hearsay. Any person making an allegation of that nature must be able to substantiate it.

"These are the facts. Firstly Roshan Mahanama did not play in the match in question.

"Secondly no report was lodged with the umpires (Peter Parker and Steve Randell) or any officials in that match.

"Mark Taylor, who was captain of Australia in that match, did not hear any comment of the nature alleged by Mr Mahanama."

Speed said McGrath denied the allegations "totally, absolutely, 100 per cent".

"Roshan Mahanama is respected by the Australian players ... but I think it's important that this allegation hasn't been raised for five years," Speed said.

"And I think we need to treat the allegation with some caution given the circumstances of the timing - that it's now made just before Mahanama launches his book in Melbourne.

"I don't think it's appropriate that we deal with matters that are raised in books or are leaked prior to the launch of a book about issues that happened five years ago.

"If there's any substantiated allegation, of course we'll deal with it."

© 2001 AAP