Use lie-detector tests to combat corruption, says Waugh

New Delhi: In the wake of the IPL spot-fixing scandal, former Australia skipper Steve Waugh on Sunday said that the introduction of lie-detector tests would be a good way to combat the problem of corruption in cricket.

"It`s unfortunate when things like these happen. There is a need to educate the umpires. And also there is a need to put in place the lie-detector test," Waugh said during a promotional event which was held in the city. The former Aussie great had earlier also pushed for the technology to be put in place, saying that the players accused of match-fixing or spot-fixing should take the lie-detector tests in order to clear their names. Meanwhile, speaking on the ongoing Ashes series, Waugh said that the current Australian side, which is going through a painful transition, must have the self belief. "It`s very difficult. But I feel we have the talent and we just need to start believing in ourselves," said Waugh on the sidelines of a signing ceremony between two companies to culminate the development of "Cricket County", a residential township project in Lucknow. Waugh also insisted that the Australia team touring England was not the worst batting units ever to have played in the Ashes. "I don`t think so (current Australia are the worst batting side ever in Ashes). I was the part of the worst batting side ever in 1989 but we won the Test series 4-0. There is a lot of talent here and in the ongoing Test (third Test) we got some 500-plus runs in the first innings, so that doesn`t make the team`s batting worst," he said. Waugh also lavished praise on young Steven Smith, who has batted well in the current Test match. "He(Smith) is a real talent. He plays differently. That`s good. He is very aggressive and backs himself. I think he has got a good future in Australian cricket. I like the way he plays." On Shane Watson lack of form at the top hampering Australia, Waugh observed, "He has got an enormous talent and once he gets a hundred, he will get a lot more runs. He is frustrated, I am sure, but my advice to him would be to remain patient. Once he makes a breakthrough he will score a lot of runs." PTI