'Lara a ticking bomb'

Former English county player Peter Roebuck, writing in The Age newspaper, said the verbal clash did not reflect well on either side and urged Lara to let his bat do the talking.

Lara and Waugh were involved in a war of words on Saturday during the second day of the fourth and final Test in Antigua before they were separated by English umpire David Shepherd.

Both players were later let off by match referee Mike Procter, who described their heated exchange as gamesmanship, and "what Test cricket is all about".

"By the time he had faced one delivery, Lara had flayed a six (over gully) and been involved in verbal stoushes (clashes) with opening batsman Matthew Hayden and rival captain Steve Waugh," The Australian newspaper reported on Monday.

The story was run under the headline:

Glenn McGrath, Darren Lehmann and Justin Langer also clashed with Lara, according to Melbourne's Herald Sun in an article headlined "Aussies rally as Lara blows fuse".

The newspaper said: "Hayden ignited Lara's fuse when he uttered a few words to the master batsman as he strode to the crease."

In an article headlined "Lara's war with Australia is not cricket, but it is compelling", Peter Roebuck said the clash did not reflect well on either team.

"Lara has no business confronting opponents on the field and should let his bat do the talking," said Roebuck.

"Despite all their efforts at public relations, the Australians will remain respected rather than liked until they curb their tongues."

Australia, who lead the Test series 3-0, set West Indies a daunting fourth innings target of 418 and the home side had reached 47 without loss by the close of the third day.