Steve Waugh refuses to be drawn into further controversy

By Malcolm Conn

HOBART, NOV. 26. Steve Waugh has refused to buy into the deepening row between India and the International Cricket Council.

Waugh has a history of being frustrated by administrators who fail to act in the best interests of the world game but is circumspect after the adverse reaction he received from India over his support for action taken against Sachin Tendulkar for ball tampering in the second Test against South Africa.

``We go out there and play cricket the best we can. The administrators are there to do the administration. It's out of our control,'' Waugh said after a fourth day of rain consigned the second Test against New Zealand in Hobart to an inevitable draw.

``I don't want to be headlines around the world like three or four days ago. I guess I'm pretty strong-willed and I have opinions. Sometimes they get misinterpreted.''

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was more forthcoming, saying he felt for the batsmen who dominated a game that does not now count for anything. ``If I got a hundred I'd be pretty disappointed,'' he said.

``I did think that when I saw the two boys posting hundreds. It's disappointing that they don't register as Test centuries. It's a bizarre affair.''

Fleming said he felt a certain amount of frustration regarding the situation when the players were doing their best to put on a good show. ``There is not much more you can do than control your own backyard,'' he said.

``With Steve Waugh, we're attempting to play positive cricket as much as we can. As ambassadors of the game that's all we can do. It is frustrating. We are concerned.''

The match was abandoned after only 19.2 morning overs were possible on Monday, meaning more than 235 overs were lost to rain after a full first day netted a startling stumps score of 411 for six.

With the first Test also washed out in Brisbane the sides head to Perth for a series-deciding Test even though Australia dominated the first two matches.

Australia has won every series on home soil since drawing one-all with South Africa in 1993-94 and has not lost a series in Australia since the West Indies beat it 1-2 in 1992-93. The last Test series which failed to produce a result was against India in 1985-86.

Australian hopes flickered briefly as Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie took three quick wickets, leaving New Zealand in grave danger of having to follow on.

When rain came, New Zealand was 243 for seven needing 359 to make Australia bat a second time, with Adam Parore and Daniel Vettori both on 10, in reply to Australia's 558 for eight declared.

McGrath, in his most influential spell of the series, removed Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming for 71 leg before wicket padding up with the first ball of the morning and later had dangerous allrounder Chris Cairns brilliantly caught by Adam Gilchrist for 20.

In between Gillespie - who finished with three for 45 - bowled the stubborn Craig McMillan for 55.

Fleming expressed his strongest disappointment yet at wayward bowling which has allowed double-century opening partnerships in the first and second Tests. He said particular responsibility laid with the experienced Cairns.

As an attempt to improve their performance on the fast bowler friendly Perth wicket the Kiwis will call on Dennis Lillee for help.

With pace pair Dion Nash and Shayne O'Connor sent home after the first Test because of injury, the Kiwis now have problems with Daryl Tuffey, who has a hamstring strain and is unlikely to travel to Perth.

Australia has named an unchanged side for the third and final Test of the series, beginning in Perth on Friday.

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