Lets just clear something up front, yes I'm an Australian and I'll admit a bias.
However, i think its worth just checking on something.
Do you sacrifice congratulating an effort of someone in your own team, just to rub the ego, sorry, shake hands of the guy who just got out after a big score?
The sub fielder took a pretty good, hard catch, in the outfield of the WACA yesterday. Should the Australians have ignored his effort, leaving him in the outfield all by himself and have rushed to Taylor instead, who on his own admission, was out of there as fast as he could?
Call it arrogant if you like, but my view is supporting the efforts of your team mates first and then the opposition second.
Having not played cricket anywhere other than Australia i can't comment to what other countries do.
However, there is an unspoken rule to play hard on the field, with the opposition being an enemy of sorts. While on the oval, there isn't being friendly. There is a line with language, offensive gestures and direct offence that you don't overstep.
But what happens on the field stays on the field.
At the end of the game, everyone shakes hands and 9/10 you share a few beers as one group, not as two opposing teams.
I guess what i'm trying to say, is just because you don't 'shake the guys hand' as he is walking off the field, doesn't mean you don't respect his innings, or value the contribution they have made.