Don't be ugly on the field: Jayawardene

Dubai, Sep 11 (UNI) Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene has advised players that one doesn't have to be ugly to be aggressive in cricket.

Jayawardene received the International Cricket Council (ICC) Spirit of the Game 2008 award here last night.

''You don't have to be ugly to be aggressive on the cricket field,'' he said.

Sri Lanka won the award for the second consecutive time.

''The captain has to set the example but at the same time every player in the team has to take responsibility and play the game in the right spirit,'' the skipper said.

''You have to be aggressive and passionate when you play for your country - you have to want to win. But you don't have to cross the line and be personal. There are ways of being aggressive while still controlling your anger and passion.'' When asked about an incident in the fifth one-dayer between India and Sri Lanka last month in which the Lankans were seen giving a 'send-off' to Indian opener Gautam Gambhir after having dismissed him, Jayawardene said ''It wasn't really a send-off. We just felt that he (Gambhir) was out and he did not walk.'' ''We just had a chat with him,'' he added.

Gambhir was on 11 when he was adjudged caught behind by Kumara Sangakarra off Nuwan Kulasekara. However, he refused to walk off which prompted the verbal exchange.

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