West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels says a case of defamation has been filed against former Australia fast bowler Geoff Lawson for allegedly making malicious comments during a radio programme earlier this year.

The 35-year-old Jamaican made the confirmation to the Jamaica Observer via telephone yesterday. The middle-order batsman, however, declined further comment.

The Australian, who played 46 Test matches between 1980 and 1989, had reportedly said Samuels is “tied up with gangs” and “shady people” in the West Indies.

In an attempt to add weight to his comments, Lawson, 58, pointed to the high murder rate in Kingston, Jamaica.

Lawson’s comments were said to have been made on The Big Sports Breakfast radio show in April, only a day after West Indies stunned England by four wickets with a dramatic, late batting onslaught in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 (T20) final in India.

Samuels was sensational in making a man-of-the-match 85 not out, as West Indies clinched the World T20 title a historic second time.

Samuels’ superb knock of 78 also won him the man-of- the-match award in the 36-run victory over home team Sri Lanka in the 2012 final.

The radio show and News.com.au journalist James Matthey are also included in the lawsuit.

Matthey, who was said to have published an article along similar lines to Lawson’s remarks, had reportedly analysed discussions surrounding the public disagreement between Samuels and Australian leg-spin legend Shane Warne.

In a statement attributed to Samuels – a veteran of 64 Tests since making his debut in 2000 against hosts Australia — the right-handed batsman said he has never “been the subject of any criminal investigation”.

It continued that the alleged “comments were published and aired” without proper research, and that the player was not given the opportunity to respond to the “damaging remarks”.

It said that his intention is to defend his integrity, image and values as an international cricketer.

The statement said that “some of the proceeds”of any financial compensation arising from a successful suit will be donated to the Marlon Samuels Society for the Blind in Jamaica.

Samuels and Warne, 46, have been involved in a war of words tracing back to an ugly on-field confrontation when they were opposing players during the 2013 staging of the Australian Big Bash League.

After the T20 final win over England in April, Samuels lashed out at Warne during a post-match interview.

That was an apparent response to Warne’s criticism during on-air commentary after the West Indies batsman was dismissed for eight in the seven-wicket semi-final win over India.

Warne played 145 Tests for Australia from 1992 to 2007.