Tension over Daniel Vettori slur on Aussie keeper Brad Haddin
By Richard Earle
February 02, 2009
A FURORE has erupted as New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori questioned the integrity of Australia keeper Brad Haddin following Sunday night's Chappell-Hadlee thriller in Perth.
A critical fourth-wicket stand ended when umpires Steve Bucknor and Bruce Oxenford consulted to give in-form Kiwi Neil Broom (29) out bowled to Michael Clarke in the 36th over. Broom had put on 42 runs with brilliant batsman Ross Taylor (64).
The bails appeared to be dislodged by Haddin's gloves, which were in front of the stumps.
This notionally meant a no-ball should have been called.
Vettori added spice to the remaining four games in the series after focusing on Haddin's reaction to the dismissal, which almost conspired against his side's, final ball, two-wicket win.
"I think we were pretty pleased to get there in the end. I think you saw from Haddin's reaction that he knew something was wrong, so he probably should have made more noise about it," said Vettori, infuriating Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting.
"I thought it was a partnership that was going to win us the game so it put us under more pressure."
Angry Ponting defended Haddin, saying his Kiwi counterpart should be more careful with his words.
"Brad on the field said he was certain the ball had flicked the off-stump," said Ponting, whose side lost its fourth game in a row.
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