Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin has lashed out at the Black Caps for being "too nice" on the cricket field.
Haddin, who came under scrutiny for apparently sledging Black Caps batsmen during the Cricket World Cup final, said the New Zealand players "deserved it".
"You know what, they deserved it. They were that nice to us in New Zealand [in the game at Eden Park] and we were that uncomfortable," said Haddin.
"I said in the team meeting: 'I can't stand for this anymore, we're going at them as hard as we can.'
"All they were was that nice to us for seven days.
"I'm not going to play another one-dayer so they can suspend me for as long as they like."
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Australia came under-fire on social media for what were seen as unsportsmanlike celebrations after Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner gave Black Caps batsmen Martin Guptill, Grant Elliott and Daniel Vettori aggressive send-offs.
Haddin was constantly talking to the batsmen in the middle, and gave Guptill a long shout after the New Zealand opener was bowled by Australia spinner Glenn Maxwell.
Vettori was next to feel the heat, with Mitchell Johnson giving him a long stare down after removing the 36-year-old's middle stump.
With New Zealand struggling on 171/7, Grant Elliott, credited with restoring order to the Black Caps' innings, exchanged words with a fired-up James Faulkner after the Australian fast-bowler dismissed the top-scoring batsman.
When Elliott was asked about Haddin's comments, he said he didn't feel the banter on the field got out of hand.
"The game, I feel, at Eden Park and the game we played yesterday at the [MCG] was played in the spirit of the game. It was great to share a beer with Australia after the game, deserving champions and well done to them, they outclassed us yesterday," Elliott said.
"It was pretty friendly stuff. It was just good to hear how well the Aussies rated me as a player
"In the heat of the contest everyone wants to win the game so I enjoyed it, it was great fun.
"What goes on the field stays on the field. It was just friendly banter out there."
Steve Smith, who is favourite to captain Australia at the next World Cup, credited the Black Caps after the game.
"The [Black Caps] came in for a beer after the game, they are a great bunch of guys," said Smith.
"I think the best two teams played on the night and obviously we were the better team on the night.
"They set the standard throughout the whole tournament and we were lucky enough to knock them off in the final."
Click the video to see Grant Elliott talk to media after the match.
3 News
source: newshub archive
