Geoff Lawson may have apologised to the Pakistani media for his behaviour but the Australian stood firm by his words against a scribe at an explosive press conference.
MELBOURNE: Geoff Lawson may have apologised to the Pakistani media for his behaviour but the Australian stood firm by his words against a scribe at an explosive press conference that drew the ire of local journalists.
Lawson laid down certain conditions before the press conference asking journalists not to ask personal questions or repeat the same query and enter into a debate.
The media resented Lawson laying down ground rules for the press conference and walked out.
Lawson issued an apology through Pakistan Cricket Board, but he was quoted as saying to The Australian: "To me it's a non-issue. I do not care what they (media) write. At least they have got this story right. They usually just make stories up."
The former Australia fast bowler told a senior local journalist to improve his English during the heated exchange.
"It was not what that guy was saying, it was the way he was saying it. He had a distinct attitude and that is why I come across so aggressively.
"He gave me a gobfull, yelling something about 'freedom of the press' and I said 'mate it's just the rules of the press conference' but I don't really care. That guy knows I have had problems with him before. These guys can get very personal. There are good guys who know their stuff and there are guys who write rubbish, who have their own agendas and are mates with selectors and have favourite players and all that," he said.
As the press conference swung out of control the Australian made to leave, changed his mind and walked back only to find that another senior journalist was leading his colleagues from the room.
The incident occurred when the Australian coach filled in for Captain Shoaib Malik after the side's 64-run loss to Sri Lanka pushed them to the edge of elimination from the Asia Cup.
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