Waugh's after-match behaviour not 'ideal', cricket chief

Australia captain Steve Waugh, who reportedly muttered obscenities to journalists while leaving a news conference on Sunday night, had behaved in a less than ideal manner, Australia's cricket chief said.

Waugh became irritated as journalists asked him if changes should be made to the one-day team that had failed to qualify for the finals of the triangular series tournament against South Africa and New Zealand.

"You lose a couple of games and everybody wants to be an expert, everyone wants to change the team. You have got to have faith in your players," Waugh told the after-match news conference in Perth.

Australia beat the Proteas in Perth by 33 runs on Sunday night in the final pool match, but failed to gain the bonus point required to win a place in this week's best-of-three finals.

It is only the third time in 23 years Australia have not qualified for the finals of the annual triangular one-day series.

As he left the room, Waugh said journalists had not shown him enough respect and that they were walking on "thin ice", according to an Australian Associated Press report.

Waugh's parting shot came after repeated questioning from journalists about the need for team changes.

"A couple of ACB representatives were there, I have spoken to them, it would appear it was a pretty difficult press conference at the end of a difficult match and a long summer," Australian Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive James Sutherland said on Monday.

"He (Waugh) made an off-the-cuff remark to an ACB person on the way out.

"I understand the context of that, I have spoken to Steve Waugh and I won't be taking the matter any further."

Sutherland added on Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio: "I don't think it's ideal in the circumstances. But taking everything into account, I don't believe there is any further action required."

FORM DEBATE

Waugh, 36, and his twin brother Mark scored one half-century each in the triangular series and their places in the team for next year's World Cup defence in South Africa have been strongly debated in the Australian media.

Steve Waugh's off-field troubles have recently included apologising to South Africa fast bowler Steve Elworthy last month for an insensitive comment after Elworthy was taken to hospital for a brain scan.

When informed that the scan had not found any serious injury, Waugh was reported to have told an Australian cricket official: "I bet they didn't find a brain either."

Waugh later told a news conference that media reports about the incident were inaccurate but said he had apologised to Elworthy in person to ensure there was no misunderstanding.

Run out for 90 in the first innings of the second test against South Africa in December, Waugh stood his ground and discussed the decision with umpire Darrell Hair after he had given him out.

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle fined Waugh half his match fee for dissent.

Mail Cricket Editor