Botham furious about 'stolen' plans

Ian Botham was adamant England's bowling plans had been stolen from their dressing room during the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

Former England batsman David Gower, discussing the leaked plans on Sky Sports, asked Botham about how the document was 'found'.

Botham replied: "You say found...it was a stolen piece of paper out of the dressing room and should not be stolen. Just who was in the dressing room and what else has been stolen?"

ABC radio commentator Jim Maxwell felt the station had done little wrong by reading out the plans on air after being e-mailed a copy of England's tactics for dealing with the Australian batsmen.

Unfortunately for England the plans appeared to have little impact as Australia reached 372 for seven on the second day, a lead of 213, after centurions Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds put on 279.

Maxwell told BBC Radio Five Live: "It was an attachment to an email which seemed to specify the plans for all the Australian batsmen.

"It was a lovely bit of information about all the Australia batsmen and their weaknesses and what England needed to do to get them out.

"Unfortunately for England it arrived during a mammoth partnership - so the plans were not working very well.

"I don't think it was particularly mischievous to read it out, I can't see how any harm has been done. If this gets out into the open it is not earth-shattering news is it? As we said at the time, whatever the tactics they were weren't working."

The source of the leak is unknown, with Maxwell saying he did not know whether the emailer was using an alias or not.