January 10, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 30, 1428

MELBOURNE, Jan 9: It’s not only the Indians who feel that the current Australian cricketers are arrogant, even a former Aussie player believes players don’t play in spirit of the game and they need counselling.

According to Geoff Lawson, the Australians are considered to be “arrogant” by the rest of the cricket world and it’s time that players behave properly on and off the field.

Lawson, presently the Pakistan coach, believed that the Australians did not play within spirit of the game in their 122-run second Test win over India at Sydney.

“There’s certainly been lot of feeling from ex-players who think the ‘baggy green’ has been disrespected. Some of these (current) players need to be spoken to. I certainly don’t agree with dragging (Ricky) Ponting’s captaincy, I just think a bit of counselling needs to be done with how these players perceive themselves.

“As an ex-Australian player I was pretty disappointed. Perception is everything and outside world thinks this Australian team is arrogant and not well-behaved.

“Whether the team themselves think that is another issue, but I can guarantee you rest of the cricket world certainly feel that about this team,” Lawson insisted.

Meanwhile, Lawson said he is returning to Pakistan to prepare his team for the home series against Australia in March.

Lawson added he is confident that Australia’s tour of Pakistan can go ahead despite the political unrest in the country.

Australian all-rounder Symonds has voiced his concern about travelling to Pakistan recently after assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto late last month.

However, Lawson says there should not be any problems in playing cricket on Pakistan soil.

“They have moments of unrest but we don’t feel there’s a problem, we wouldn’t be doing it otherwise,” he stated. “So the perception of what’s going on from the other side of the world is very different to the reality.”

—Agencies