Australian Cricket Board (ACB) chief James Sutherland on Tuesday told Test captain Steve Waugh to rein in his players’ emotions after an angry mid-pitch outburst by paceman Glenn McGrath during the fourth Test against the West Indies in Antigua.
McGrath lashed out at West Indian vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan after tea on Monday as Sarwan was building his second Test century amid a fighting comeback against the Australians in the penultimate day of play.
As the West Indies batsmen closed in on the huge target of 418 set by Australia, McGrath tore into Sarwan, finger-pointing and swearing aggressively in an apparent response to something that was said to him.
Sutherland said he spoke to Waugh and both agreed the incident was unfortunate and bordering on inappropriate behavior. He said the Australian team had a duty to uphold the spirit of the game whether it was winning or losing.
”It’s all very well to be playing the game in the right spirit when things are going your way, but if things are not going your way, that’s when the real test is on,” Sutherland said.
”If you can’t carry yourself in the true spirit of the game at those times, perhaps you need to have a good look at yourself.”
The McGrath incident was a hot topic on Australian talkback radio on Tuesday with some sympathy for McGrath but also a theme that the Australians were noted for dishing out sledging but couldn’t take it, especially when they were struggling in a match.
Waugh has previously defended sledging as a legitimate part of the sport, famously describing it as a tactic of ”mental disintegration”.
”The players are very aware that there are millions and millions of people watching the game on television,” Sutherland said.
”They are ambassadors for their country and the game of cricket and they need to carry themselves in an appropriate manner.
”In this circumstance, there’s no doubt that what I saw on my television this morning was not what I would have liked to have woken up to.”
Sutherland said he would not be speaking to McGrath about the matter and the ACB would not take any direct action against him.
”The umpires in this game are two very experienced umpires,” Sutherland said.
”They know what powers they have under the code of conduct and if they thought it appropriate, I’m sure they would have taken action.”
Australia is facing a likely defeat when play resumes later on Tuesday, with the West Indies needing only 47 runs with four wickets in hand to avoid a series whitewash and conclude the highest successful run chase in Test history. – Sapa-AFP