Slater warned for Test row

Australian opener Michael Slater was given a warning for arguing after having an appeal for a catch turned down in the first Test win over India on Thursday.

West Indian match referee Cammie Smith told reporters that Slater was cautioned for arguing with umpire Srinivas Venkatraghavan and Indian batsman Rahul Dravid.

Slater had claimed a catch he took diving forward at mid-wicket when Dravid pulled a ball from Damien Fleming while he was on 22.

Venkatraghavan referred the decision to the third umpire, who ruled Dravid not out and Slater was seen arguing with the umpire and the batsman.

Television replays suggested the ball could have touched the ground before Slater completed the attempted catch.

Dravid and Tendulkar went on to complete a 97-run third-wicket stand before the Australian bowlers wrested the initiative in the afternoon to complete a 10-wicket victory with two days to spare for a 1-0 lead in the three-test series.

Australian captain Steve Waugh told reporters after the match that Slater had not done the right thing but had been anxious after completing what he believed was a clean catch.

"From Slater's point of view he thought he had caught the ball cleanly and was anxious because the batsman did not believe him," Waugh said.

"It certainly was not the right thing to do but you can understand his feelings. I am sure he would not do it again."

Mail Cricket Editor