Former Australian paceman Glenn McGrath has expressed his surprise at the fallout from the controversial Sydney Test which saw Ricky Ponting's men claim a record-equalling 16th-consecutive Test victory.
Following his side's devastating last-minute loss on Sunday, the usually mild-mannered Indian captain Anil Kumble added further fuel to the already heated mood of both camps, claiming that the Australians had not conducted themselves in 'the spirit of the game'.
McGrath, who will return for one final appearance for NSW in Tuesday's Twenty20 clash with Queensland, conceded Kumble's comments were out of character and staunchly defended the Australian's conduct.
"I always got on really well with Anil, he's a great guy, very reserved and I find it quite surprising that he'd come out and say that," McGrath said.
"(It's) probably a little disappointing from an Australian point of view because I know the boys play and I've got total respect for every guy that pulls on the baggy-green cap and walks out there."
"I think the Australians play it hard and we play it fair I feel."
Asked if Ricky Ponting's integrity deserved to be questioned after the Australian skipper claimed he had caught Indian gloveman MS Dhoni in close late on day five, McGrath responded without hesitation: "Definitely not."
Indeed, McGrath referred to Ponting's decision to recall Rahul Dravid on day two when unsure if he had held a tough chance at second-slip.
"If they want to look at his integrity you only have to look at that first innings," McGrath said.
"That was a catch that he could have quite easily caught, he was unsure whether he caught it or not and he said that - and that was it, end of story."
"I saw the replay of what they (channel nine commentators) were talking about yesterday, that catch (off the bat of Dhoni) in close."
"To me, replays showed that it flicked the glove, he dived back, he caught it, you know he was well in control of that ball and to me that's what it's all about."
Pressed on the performance of besieged umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor, McGrath said match officials had a difficult job to do.
"At the end of the day they call it the way they see it." McGrath said.
"That's the way it's been from the first ball of Test cricket and the way it is now."
"Some days you're going to get bad decisions and other days you're going to get good ones."
"It's the way cricket's always been and you can't pick and choose when you're going to complain about it."