Australian captain Steve Waugh poses with the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy after the team won the four Test series against West Indies 3-1. - Dellmar ST JOHN'S, Antigua, (Reuters):
AUSTRALIA CAPTAIN Steve Waugh admitted yesterday his team was ruffled during a heated exchange on the fourth day of the final Test with the West Indies on Monday.
Trouble flared in a finger-pointing incident between fast bowler Glenn McGrath and West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan.
"It wasn't pretty, we would like these things not to happen. We got ruffled yesterday and we lost our composure," Waugh told reporters after the home team's record-breaking win deprived Australia of an unprecedented Caribbean whitewash.
He said: "I don't think there's anything wrong with exchanging a few words on the field. But we know it's going to be replayed 10 or 20 times. It's going to be seen over and over again and kids are going to see it as well."
Referring to McGrath's furious reaction to a possible Sarwan jibe, Waugh said: "He (McGrath) probably misinterpreted it.
"Ramnaresh Sarwan hasn't got a mean bone in his body, he's a great guy. It's a moment all the players regret, we wish it hadn't happened but it did."
Australian media reports said Sarwan had made a personal comment to McGrath which upset the 33-year-old fast bowler.
Match referee Mike Procter said the two players had cleared the air afterwards and no action would be taken.
"It got pretty serious out there for a time. Fortunately, (umpire) Dave Shepherd stepped in at the right time."
Earlier yesterday, Australian cricket chief James Sutherland described the clash as "an ugly incident".
The episode has aroused suspicions that Australia's all-conquering team may lose tempers too easily when the going gets tough.
"It's a situation Australia haven't found themselves in for a while. Of course, a few things were said out there," said West Indies captain Brian Lara.
"It's a gentleman's sport but we are playing for our countries and you expect people to fight for their country.
"When you play test cricket you are going to try and get under people's skin and ruffle them. Of course, you don't want to take it to a level where it gets embarrassing."
Waugh said of the temper-control notion: "I think it's a little unfair but if that's the way people see it, I don't think you can do much about it."
Procter backed the tourists.
"Australia has always played pretty tough cricket, I don't think anyone wants them to change the way they play," he said.
"Sometimes, people like to knock the people at the top. They are a wonderful side and play in the spirit of the game."
