Hayden rebuked for Harbhajan insult

BRISBANE, Australia -- Australia's Matthew Hayden has been rebuked by Cricket Australia for a breach of their code of conduct after describing Harbhajan Singh as an "obnoxious weed" and criticizing Ishant Sharmar while speaking on a Brisbane radio station.

He was charged for "the public denigration of other players" after the interview and appeared before a hearing in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The charge was upheld but no further action will be taken and Hayden can play against India in the one-day CB Series final.

"I maintain my innocence but I respect and accept the decision," said Hayden.

Cricket Australia spokesman Phillip Pope told the : "Obviously Matthew was found guilty and was issued a formal reprimand, which is serious in its own way -- it's been taken seriously by both the player and Cricket Australia"

The opening batsman had said the Australian players were fed up with the constant complaints from the Indians about their on-field behavior during the current acrimonious tour..

Three Indian players, including Harbhajan and Sharma, have been found guilty of breaching the player's code of conduct but the tourists have accused the Australians of provocation.

Hayden said his differences with Harbhajan had gone on for for years but the reason the Indians were complaining so much on this tour was because "they are losing every game they are playing".

Hayden said:"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 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."

Sharma was fined 15 percent of his match fee after clashing with Andrew Synods in Sydney on Sunday.

"He is just 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 for a while?

"I like the idea of actually getting into the ring. I like that, let's bring that on."

Predictably, India's cricket board have protested to Cricket Australia about Hayden's remarks "We condemn such comments by the Australian players," Indian board's chief administrative officer Ranker Hefty 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. CA have said they will look into this and let us hope there is some communication on this."

The Indian team manager Bi mal Sonia told reporters in Sydney that the players did not want to make a public response to Hayden's comments.

"We want to play cricket... with what Hayden said, our stance is vindicated," Sonia said.

"This sort of thing should not happen but we've decided to take it in our stride and want to get on with preparing for the finals."

Australian left-arm wrist-spinner Brad Hog has announced his retirement from international cricket.

The 37-year-old, who started his first-class career as a specialist batsman before turning to spin bowling, has quit after playing seven Tests and 121 one-day internationals since 1996.

His greatest success has come in the limited covers game, with 154 wickets at 26.73. He took part in two successful World Cup campaigns. He will quit at the end of the current tri-series but is considering playing on for Western Australia. E-mail to a friend