Slater apologises to Dravid

Australian opening batsman Michael Slater has apologised to Rahul Dravid for using abusive language against him on the third day of the first cricket Test between the two countries, in Bombay, on Thursday.

Australia team media manager Brian Murgatroyd was quoted by Aussie journalists covering the tour as saying that Slater and Dravid sat down together over beer after the game.

In fact, Dravid visited the Australian dressing room at the end of the match.

Slater's tantrum began after his appeal for a catch against Dravid was turned down by the third umpire.

In what Peter Roebuck, writing in thepavilion.com.au, described as "Slater's moment of madness", the Aussie walked up to umpire S Venkatraghavan and disputed the decision, and then turned to Dravid and exchanged hot words with him.

ICC match referee Cammie Smith of the West Indies, surprisingly, let the Australian off with a warning.

The Australian correspondents said their players, after seeing the replay believed the third umpire had made the right decision.

Australian captain Steve Waugh conceded that Slater's behaviour was wrong but he put the responsibility for that on the technology that is used to capture action on the field.

The Australian reporters also pointed out that their batsmen too had stood their ground in similar circumstances this year and the verdicts had gone in their favour.

Pointing out that the visitors cannot have it both ways, Roebuck said Slater may have taken the catch "but his protestations were out of place".

More on the first Test
Australia will win series 2-0: Greg Matthews
Images from day 3
Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist sums up Day 3 on Real Audio

Mail Cricket Editor