Australian Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Malcolm Speed told reporters here that Ponting had informed him of the approach last week before the start of the Adelaide Ashes Test between England and Australia.

Speed said Ponting had offered the information just before it was revealed that fellow Test stars Shane Warne and Mark Waugh accepted money from a bookmaker in Sri Lanka four years ago to provide similar information.

``Ricky assures me he rejected the approach out of hand and walked away from the person,'' Speed said, adding that he accepted Ponting's version of events without reservation.

Ponting said he was keen to be the first Australian player to give evidence at the ACB inquiry, which speed announced will be conducted by Brisbane-based queen's counsel, Rob O'Regan. It isexpected to be concluded by the end of February

Its terms of reference are wide-ranging and will include current board employees as well as contracted players and any former Australian players who wish to give evidence.

O'Regan will investigate a series of issues including whether any Australian players bet on matches, tried to contrive any match results, failed to perform on their merits because of a betting arrangement or deliberately tried to stop any team-mates performing on their merits.

The ACB was awaiting word from Pakistan today about how to deal with a summons for Waugh and Warne to go to Lahore and give evidence.

A judicial commission investigating allegations of bribery and match fixing in Pakistan cricket wants the two Australian cricketers to give evidence in person as a result of last week's revelations.

The ACB replied by suggesting a video link-up between Pakistan and Australia or for members of the Pakistan inquiry to visit this country.

Speed said the ACB was hopeful Waugh andWarne could stay here rather than go to Pakistan where Waugh gave evidence six weeks ago.