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Cricket

Hayden ignites India row with "obnoxious weed" jibe

27/02/2008

Australia's Matthew Hayden has called India spinner Harbhajan Singh a "little obnoxious weed" in an interview which threatens to ignite another row.

The 34-year-old has since been reprimanded for breaching his country's cricketing code of conduct, as his comments were viewed as "a public denigration of other players".

The two countries have already been embroiled in a bitter exchange recently after several controversial incidents during a four-match Test series in Australia last month.

Andrew Symonds was allegedly the target of racist taunts from members of the Indian team, while the tourists themselves complained of unsportsmanlike behaviour from the hosts.

The latest episode saw India lodge an official complaint to the match referee during a one-day game against Australia late last week after claims of over-the-top sledging, which is due to be outlawed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

And in response, the home side's opening batsman Hayden said the dispute was the result of sour grapes on India's part because the team are "losing every game they are playing".

During a Brisbane radio interview, he continued: "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 that he is now.

"His record speaks for itself in cricket. There is a certain line that you can go to and then you know you are pushing it - he just pushes it all the time."

Hayden also criticised the actions of the tourists' teenage spinner Ishant Sharma, who was involved in a heated exchange with the veteran opener in last Sunday's match.

In the same interview, Hayden appeared to challenge the 19-year-old to a fight.

"I like the idea of actually getting into the ring [with him]. I like that, bring it on," Hayden added.

"I have said to him many times, 'You are 19, take it easy'. Why doesn't he just worry about his bowling for a while?"