Under Ganguly, perception of Indian team changed: Waugh

Waugh was clearly upset with the constant talk of sledging. ‘‘Australia are a well-behaved side nearly 95 per cent of the time. It is only five per cent, when in the heat of the moment, something goes wrong. If you see the recent Australia-West Indies series, one incident ’bad,’’ he said.

The tough Australian captain said it was their game plan of going on with the game. ‘‘We tried to encourage each other. Nothing else. Too much of it is said already.’’

Asked to react to the comment Cricket Australia have made about the fallen image of its own team, Waugh said ‘‘it is part of their job. Every Board does it.’’

Waugh too did not want to comment on the recent Shane Warne or Damien Martyn incidents. ‘‘They are private and personal matters. It is wrong to talk about that,’’ he said point blank.

The Australian captain said the third umpire could only decide on run out or close decisions but not leg before decisions. ‘‘The field umpires do that job. We have to respect the decision of the umpire. I do not see any reason to change that.’’

Waugh still feels that VVS Laxman’s monumental 281 at Kolkata spoiled their party. ‘‘I wish he did not play the Kolkata Test. That was a phenomenal innings. He has enormous potential. We are surprised he has not produced that innings again. He has to work hard to be persistent and be a regular player,’’ he said.

Waugh did admit that he had a lot of admirers in India. ‘‘I do get a lot of support in this country. It is overwhelming. My teammates and I do enjoy playing in front of the huge 80,000 crowd at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It is a great venue. I have a lot of friends in this country,’’ he said. In fact, in his diary, a lot of space has been devoted to this country.