A massive income tax evasion investigation in Australia may involve recently retired spin bowler Shane Warne and other cricketers who have spent time playing in the UK.

Operation Wickenby is one of the largest tax investigations yet undertaken in Australia and is focused on alleged tax avoidance by individuals using overseas companies to hide income.

The cricketers are believe to have become embroiled in the investigation after failing to declare hundreds of thousands of British pounds managed in offshore accounts, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The paper reported that Australia Tax Office investigators believe a large portion of these players English playing and endorsement earnings were housed in offshore trusts managed by tax-haven specialist Philip Egglishaw.

The paper said it understood that players were not advised the compensation should have been declared and taxed in Australia but criminal charges are considered likely.

Further reading:

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