GEORGETOWN, April 14: Australia captain Steve Waugh, whose team crushed West Indies by nine wickets in the first Test on Sunday, refused to criticise the umpiring in the match and said he did not want the sport to be Americanised.

The match was punctuated by a series of controversial decisions, with Sri Lanka’s Asoka de Silva bearing the brunt of the blame.

But Waugh, celebrating his world record 157th Test appearance, said that uncertainty was part of the beauty of cricket.

“You don’t want to end up with robots out there,” said Waugh.

“We don’t want the sport to be Americanised.

“We want to have controversy and we want to have something to talk about. That’s why cricket is unique.

“I don’t want to be too critical of the umpires, we all make mistakes.”

Waugh said he was not worried about trying to stop West Indies captain Brian Lara, who made 110 on Saturday and was only out because he clipped his own wicket with the bat as he followed through on a shot.

“We were lucky to get that break but we made the most of that luck and that’s what great sides do,” said Waugh, adding that he did not want to dwell on his own achievement.

“It’s a team effort and we don’t focus on one individual,” he said.

Lara did his best to look on the bright side after the drubbing.

The Trinidadian, who was reinstated as captain one week before the start of the Test after Carl Hooper’s sacking, said he was encouraged by the centuries from Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Daren Ganga.

He was also lifted by the team’s fighting spirit as they recovered from a 252 first innings deficit to make the tourists bat again.

Lara also thanked the crowd for their support — even though he was loudly jeered during the presentation ceremony by supporters angry at the firing of their fellow Guyanese Hooper.

“I’d like to thank the crowd who got behind the team for the whole game,” he said. “I think the bowlers did very well on the second day and there was a very good effort from everyone on the third. I’m very proud of the guys.”

“I think we are going to go to Trinidad looking to do much better.”

Lara, who did not take part in the post-match media conference, admitted that Hooper’s decision to pull out of the team had left his side short of a spinner.

“One of the reasons Carl Hooper was included was as a spinner,” he said. “I’m sure the selectors will put their heads together and find the best solution for the second Test.”—Reuters