Steve Waugh is furious at the way he was portrayed as a "criminal" for his involvement in the run-out of Damien Martyn during the first cricket Test against India at the Gabba which ended in a draw.

Waugh slammed his critics for "personal attacks" but also admitted he was rushed in his preparation for an innings which turned into disaster for Australia.

After Martyn was run-out on the second day, Waugh then stepped on his wicket sparking a major collapse as Australia lost 7-61 on a day when only 16 overs were possible because of rain.

Apart from being blamed for Martyn's run-out, Waugh was criticised for taking some of the limelight away from Justin Langer as he raced out to bat when Langer fell for 121.

He said "too much" was made of the run-out mix-up with Martyn, who sacrificed his wicket rather than send his skipper back to the pavilion for a duck in his farewell match at the Gabba - an act Waugh acknowledged as "fantastic".

"The next day I felt I'd committed some sort of criminal offence," Waugh said.

"I thought it was personal what was written the next day.

"It was a mistake by both of us, we're both to blame for that run-out yet some of the innuendo I read next day was very disappointing.

"(And) Justin had scored his hundred the night before, he'd only scored another 10 runs the next day. That's the way I always play, I always get out there pretty quickly. Certainly there was no disrespect - that's ridiculous to say that."

Waugh said the controversy over his retirement tour, which has been described as destabilising for the team, as well as a gimmicky "red rag" campaign started by a Sydney newspaper, were unfairly being sheeted home to the skipper.

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