Australian ex-cricketer and captain Steve Waugh feels for present Australia captain Smith , who he says would have learnt his lesson from DRS controversy in the second Test vs India
Tennis legend Boris Becker (extreme left), ace shooter Abhinav Bindra, former Australia cricket captain Steve Waugh and legendary Welsh footballer Ryan Giggs during a promotional event in New Delhi yesterday. Pic/PTI
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New Delhi: A "brain fade" moment led to Steven Smith seeking dressing room advice for a DRS referral in the second Test against India and his word should be taken at face value, feels former Australia captain Steve Waugh.
While applauding Cricket Australia's stand on the issue, Waugh said that board CEO James Sutherland knows "what happened was wrong".
"It was a fantastic Test match. It's a shame we are focussing on one incident. I would go with what Steve has said. I would take him at face value. The best part was umpires stepped in and stopped at then and there. Looking back Smith will be embarrassed and must have learnt a lesson," Waugh said during an interaction.
Strong comments
Asked about Virat Kohli stopping short of calling Smith a "cheat", Waugh replied: "I wasn't aware about what all happened but those were strong comments from Kohli. Although he didn't say that word but he was inferring it, so I am not sure Smith would have enjoyed reading those statements.
"Both captains need to have a bit of a chat at some stage and need to realise that they are going to play tough. Both are patriotic captains but no point in playing up their arguments in the press."
On whether Kohli has gone overboard, Waugh smiled and said: "That's Virat Kohli and that's what you guys love about him. And you want him to lead your country. Look there is a fine line between revving the crowd up when the bowlers are running in. I am not sure Australians will be too happy about that.
A bit on the edge
"I don't mind when you rev up the crowd in between balls but not when the bowler is running into bowl. These are couple of issues from both teams about how the game is played. It's being played in pretty good spirit but right now it's bit on the edge," Waugh said.
Ian Healy recently said that he has lost respect for Kohli and the Indian captain said he doesn't care, but Waugh begged to differ.
"Of course, he cares. I mean when another respected cricketer comment like that, than it's going to be hurtful. But Kohli is a tough guy. He will take notice and obviously responded in a way that it obviously did affect him.
"End of the day, he will have a bigger fish to fry than what Ian Healy says. I know as a captain you can't be liked by everyone. You play in your own style, he plays a combative style of cricket and that's what Indians love about him."
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