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Melbourne: Australia's cricketers have accused Brian Lara of being the instigator of the mid-pitch flare-up during Wednesday's first final of the Carlton Series in Sydney. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Australians deflected criticism of their behaviour by insisting that Lara ignited the dispute by 'sledging' Australian batsman, Michael Bevan without justification upon his arrival at the wicket and later throwing in a return that narrowly missed the Australian and in such a way as to be regarded as a deliberate attempt to hit him. Conscious of the danger of a fine for transgressing the players' Code of Conduct in making 'media comment detrimental to cricket', Bevan would not be drawn on the specific exchange during the incident, the newspaper reported.

But it added that Bevan regretted that the 'ugly Aussies' image continued to exist and criticism of the home side had become too 'one- sided', in his view, when he claimed most teams were as involved as Australia.

'Having taken abuse from Lara, it was considered a severe over- reaction when Lara subsequently reacted by jabbing his bat at Bevan during Glenn McGrath's second over after being struck on the shoulder, with the ball ricocheting against his helmet,' the newspaper added.

It claimed Bevan's 'technical advice' was: 'Back and across, Brian!' which provoked Lara's response.

The paper quoted Australian captain Steve Waugh's comment on the matter as: 'You were right. He didn't get any sympathy from me.'

© The Barbados Nation