Sport | Cricket
Hayden scolded by Australia over Harbhajan 'weed' slur
Australia batsman Matthew Hayden was reprimanded by his national board yesterday after describing Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh as an "obnoxious weed".
- Reuters
- Published: 00:39 February 28, 2008
- Australia's Matthew Hayden has an exhange of view with India's wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh (right) during the tri-series one-day cricket match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
- Image Credit: Reuters
Sydney: Australia batsman Matthew Hayden was reprimanded by his national board yesterday after describing Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh as an "obnoxious weed".
Hayden was found guilty of breaching Cricket Australia's (CA) strict code of behaviour for publicly denigrating an opponent.
The 36-year-old had faced the possibility of a ban or a fine but escaped with a warning after saying his comments were not intended to be offensive.
"I maintain my innocence, my intentions were never to denigrate cricket or anyone," Hayden said.
"But the umpire has made his decision ... and in the spirit of cricket I respect and accept the decision."
The charges were laid after Indian officials lodged a formal complaint over Hayden's comments, which included a light-hearted challenge for teenage fast bowler Ishant Sharma to join him in the boxing ring.
"We condemn such comments by the Australian players," the Indian board's chief administrative officer, Ratnakar Shetty, said.
"Our secretary has already communicated our feelings to Cricket Australia.
"We've advised our players to show restraint but despite that if such comments are being made it is really unfair."
Instigators
Hayden delivered the verbal attack during an interview with a radio station, claiming the Aussies were fed up with being painted as the instigators in their bitter public feud with the tourists.
Three Indians, including Harbhajan and Sharma, have been found guilty of breaching the ICC's code of conduct during the ill-tempered tour but maintain the Australians provoked them.
"It's been a bit of a long battle with Harbhajan. The first time I ever met him he was the same little obnoxious weed he is now," Hayden told the radio station.
"There is a certain line that you can kind of go to and then you know where you push it and he just pushes it all the time. That's why he has been charged more than anyone that's ever played in the history of cricket."
Hayden, who was named on Tuesday as Australia's best one-day player for the past 12 months, also took a swipe at Sharma, who was fined 15 per cent of his match fee after an exchange with Andrew Symonds in Sydney.
"He is young. I have said to him many times, 'You are 19, take it easy'," Hayden said. "He is 19, why doesn't he just worry about his bowling? I like the idea of actually getting into the ring. I like that, let's bring that one on."
Harbhajan wasted little time firing back at Hayden.
"Maybe they realise they no longer are the undisputed champions of the world. Maybe they feel the crown is slipping," Harbhajan said. "Otherwise, why would a veteran ask a 19-year-old to join him in a ring?"
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