Hayden blasts Indians for 'defensive bowling'

[Dravid]

In an outburst that might lead to a bitter war of words, Australian opener Matthew Hayden on Saturday lashed out at the Indian team for adopting "defensive tactics" to slow down the host side's scoring rate on the third day of the fourth and final Test. "They decided to bowl four stumps outside the off-stump, we had to reach out to play deliveries," a livid Hayden, who scored a patient hundred to keep Australia's innings stable, said at the end of the day's play. "I would say they adapted wide tactics. It was indicated when they didn't take the second new ball, it was for us to stop scoring. It was perfect for us how not to lose the game. We didn't have to play the ball." Hayden's comments are bound to open up old wounds between the two sides as Virender Sehwag had earlier claimed that Australia's slow scoring was a result of their fear of losing the Test. Meanwhile, Hayden termed his century, his third successive against India, the most satisfactory. "It was a beauty. It came on the Australia Day, the conditions were challenging and we were facing huge first innings target. We needed a sound start. We could have easily been 300 for eight at the draw of stumps today which we are not," he said. "It was important to set up a platform for Australia. We needed to occupy the crease," he emphasised. Hayden claimed that it also became difficult to hit the ball after it became soft. "It's a very abrasive surface. It made the ball go soft in 15 overs time. It did make it very hard to score," he said. Hayden, comparing his innings with one of Sachin Tendulkar on the first two days, said the conditions were more suited to batting earlier than it were today. The burly left-hander said the first session tomorrow would be crucial as Australia chased a mammoth Indian first innings total of 526. "It's now important how we bat tomorrow. It's a huge first session tomorrow. We are ready to play out the full day if we can. We want to catch up with India inch by inch and then look to build lead," he said. Hayden also paid tribute to Adam Gilchrist who announced his retirement. "It's a massive and a surprising news. We were privileged to play with a remarkable Australian who held the baggy green with great pride and passion. He truly is one of the greatest to have ever played the game," he said. "He told us individually this morning. It was an overwhelming feeling. He gave a great dimension to Australian cricket and fulfilled everything that was asked of him. He entertained not only himself but everyone globally. He was statesmanlike and was keen to build relationships all the time. He bonded cricketers and changed world cricket." Gilchrist's retirement leaves Hayden as the oldest member of the side now but he had no desire to retire as yet. "I am now the oldest within the team but I am also enjoying my cricket. Like Adam I am sure I would retire when the time is right. It's not my time yet," he said.

[msb1991]

It is a silly comment. Why would India bowl defensively if they must win the match.

[Dravid]

Trying to cover up, that aus just wanted a draw outta this? y not play square cuts?? he wants half volleys outside off?

[Cricketics]

after 75, he was really living dangerouzly there on the ground.. he could have got out any time.. i won't have been suprised had he gotten out on 99.. he never looked easy during the later part of his innings.. soon he got a classy delivery from 19yr old which made punterz way to the middle

[gloryof83]

no use blaming hayden, sehwag started the whinging first.

[varun]

Eh ? Symonds was bowling the exact same stuff.

[Sachinism]

Eh ? Symonds was bowling the exact same stuff.

exactly they even had the field all out when kumble and ishant were batting, isnt that defensive only bhaji bowled outside the offstump for the 1st hour what about the other time they cant admit, india contained them

[King]

What does he want? Half volleys and half trackers? I hope he remembers the way he got out in the end. BTW it is called in out field, Ponting employed that through out the test match too.

[talksport]

It is advicable to ignore what Australians say ...

[Donny]

Eh ? Symonds was bowling the exact same stuff.

He was bowling for Australia - not India. Entirely different situation. Who needs to win the Test, Varun ?? Ps. Same for you, Pjilka and Ravi. You are missing the (obvious) point.

[yoda]

these guys have no shame.

[bear23]

All the australian aura of playing aggressive cricket has been shoved right back up their @$$. They were playing for a draw but are somehow ashamed to admit it.

[poori_meri]

What happened to best bowlers in world statement by Prasad. Indian bowlers need helpful conditions like Perth to get 20 wickets. They are not good enough to bowl out sides on flat Adelaide pitches like Akhtar skittled out Aussies on flat sharjah pitch. :yay:

[Donny]

All the australian aura of playing aggressive cricket has been shoved right back up their @$$. They were playing for a draw but are somehow ashamed to admit it.

One day, you may understand the finer points of why Australia has dominated for so long, little bear. :regular_smile:

[talksport]

One day' date=' you may understand the finer points of why Australia has dominated for so long, little bear. :regular_smile:[/quote'] 13 is a unlucky number for many:D

[Dravid]

One day' date=' you may understand the finer points of why Australia has dominated for so long, little bear. :regular_smile:[/quote'] under arm bowling cying about pitches in other countries playing with 13 men ahh,i get how they dominate:two_thumbs_up:

[Mandrake]

Looks like Hayden never went to kindergarten and is making up for it now

[DomainK]

Chill Hayden. The feeling of mortality is unusual, but get used to it when you play India. If your captain asks to play for a draw, there is nothing wrong in it. He is just trying to save all your a**es.

[Anakin]

One day' date=' you may understand the finer points of why Australia has dominated for so long, little bear. :regular_smile:[/quote'] Actually most people already do, your eyesight probably is too dim to see the obvious.

[Donny]

I was not replying to you or most people. Obviously, it's your eyesight that's the problem. However, my hearing is fine and I've heard Australia has, twice, won 16 Tests in succession. What is India's record in this regard ?