SYDNEY, Aug 1 AAP - Almost ten years on and Mark Waugh still appears unable to get away from the biggest mistake of his career.

In 1998 it was revealed Waugh had been fined $10,000 by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) for accepting money from a bookmaker in return for pitch and weather conditions in 1994.

Many felt the punishment was too lenient, especially given the life ban handed later out to South African captain Hansie Cronje for match-fixing.

Waugh endured years of more severe allegations until his name was finally cleared in August 2001 by the ICC's anti-corruption body.

Still his sense of guilt remains.

It's there in the foreword to his biography, launched in Sydney today, when Waugh writes: "I have had my ups and downs, and made my mistakes."

It's also there in a quote from US President Theodore Roosevelt, included at the front of the biography;

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles ... The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena."

Waugh even admitted so to reporters at the launch today: "The sport could have done without the scandal obviously but it's happened now and the important thing is that it doesn't happen again."

Waugh's name, along with team-mate Shane Warne, was mentioned in allegations and investigations around the world - an event he described as "a nightmare really that snowballed from something I didn't believe to be that bad".

In response, Waugh's perception of those around him changed, especially the media.

"Since 1998 I haven't really enjoyed my cricket career," explained Waugh, who said he got headaches, felt ill and lost weight throughout the ordeal.

"I've felt the media has always been nagging away, keeping a close eye on me and my form. I don't think I hate anything more in my career than dealing with the media."

Alan Jones was on hand to launch Waugh's biography with the laudatory words of Sir Donald Bradman that the 37-year-old was "the most elegant and graceful cricketer of the modern era".

But no matter how many stories of match-saving innings, freakish catches and witty retorts permeate the book, Waugh's sense of victimisation remains.

"I didn't hear the ACB come out once and say that Mark has been a great player for Australia," writes Waugh, who said he was still hopeful of playing in next year's world cup.

"He's played 100 Tests, we're fully behind him. They never once said that."

While many will remember for his relaxed stroke making and clean hitting, others will remember him more for his casual and carefree approach to batting that leaves him with a Test average of just over 42.

"I've copped a fair bit of criticism from people who say I don't give my best, people who say I look lazy and don't value my wicket enough," Waugh concludes in the book.

"I've had some tough times because of the corruption issue. All I can say is that I have played my guts out for my club, my state, my country.

"I'm proud of what I have achieved."

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.