Throughout, the Australians have appeared in a poor light. Admittedly the visitors were not solely responsible for the incidents seen upon the field, but they cannot keep provoking opponents and then recoil whenever someone reacts as Brian Lara did in the first innings and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the second. Opponents are allowed to have their say.

Sarwan clashed with Glenn McGrath, whose mood was not helped by the punishment he was taking. Words were exchanged as the batsman completed a run, the young Guyanese reacting to some perceived insult issued as the bowler turned away from the direction of the ball and the following cameras. Inevitably the situation swiftly deteriorated, with McGrath pointing fingers, calling names and marching across to the batsman, who was not himself behaving like Little Lord Fauntleroy.

However, the rumours about Sarwan's remarks - that they referred to McGrath's ill wife - were incorrect.

As usual the Australians hunted as a pack with others joining the fray. Not for the first time Steve Waugh comprehensively failed to pour cold water on these tempers, a reluctance that must put his position in doubt. He let matters run along and left it to the umpires to settle things down.

In the laws of cricket, it states that captains are responsible for ensuring that their players maintain the spirit of the game. Patently the Australians had decided to turn up the heat after the tea interval, directing their attentions at Sarwan in an attempt to rattle an opponent inclined to let his emotions run away with him.

Waugh has done many fine things but he does not protect the game that has been his living. Nor did these nasty moments improve Australia's performance. The Australians lost their focus on the first day and did not recover it.

Normally the battle between the ears belongs to them. Instead Waugh's players became carried away in a manner not seen for years. On the fourth day they lacked the control expected from professionals performing in public. After bowling with commendable control in the morning they allowed themselves to be distracted from their plan. Controlled aggression has been their strong point. A wilder variety of the same genus was their undoing.

These outbursts spoilt some compelling cricket. It has not all been bad from the Australians. Over the last couple of days there have been two moments of sporting beauty: Adam Gilchrist's walk in the second innings and the piece of bowling with which Lara's innings was ended.

Gilchrist is emerging as a remarkable sportsman, unselfish, entertaining and concerned enough about his fellow man to consider making a protest during the World Cup match in Bulawayo.

MacGill's removal of Lara deserves a longer description. Suffice to say that he kept his field up, tossed the ball wider and fooled a batsman slow to sense danger.

Otherwise, the past two days belonged to the West Indies. Sarwan played brilliantly only to throw away his wicket after reaching three figures. Shivnarine Chanderpaul has many faults, misses matches, repeatedly leaves the field and sulks but when the force is with him his batting is a joy to behold.

Alongside his youthful partner he took the West Indies to the brink of an extraordinary victory. Meanwhile the Australians were left to reflect upon the mistakes and self-indulgences that had allowed their opponents back into the match.