After battling draw, it’s the war of words

Bangalore, October 14:: As soon as the on-field battle ended in a draw, the war of words kicked off. While collecting his Man of the Match award, Indian pacer Zaheer Khan said that the Aussies hadn’t been aggressive enough. And that triggered an exchange of words between the two camps.

Since there have been quite a few on-field scraps between the rival players during this hotly-contested Test, and in most contests between these countries in the recent past, should mean an entertaining few days between Tests.

Zaheer’s comments were in context of Australia’s run rate — which stayed under three — in both the innings, as well as the defensive fields set by Ricky Ponting, who employed a sweeper on both sides of the wicket for most parts.

But Ponting, who addressed the media after the match, said that the Indian pacer didn’t know what he was talking about. “We were the only ones here trying to take the game forward. We played aggressive cricket. I’m not sure what he means by that (statement). He can have a little bit of a chuckle to himself on the inside, that’s what I have to say to him. I don’t think it means too much to us,” he said. Later he added that it was the Indian team that was known to play for draws.

And once Ponting was done, Zaheer walked in from the Indian camp, ensuring that the issue simmered. “They generally play at four runs an over, but that was not the case here,” he said. After that he went on to comment about the Australian bowling attack. “Look, they (Aussies) couldn’t get us out twice, they couldn’t pick up 20 wickets... they couldn’t even get me and Bhajji out so what are they talking about?” he said.

The Indian pacer also commented on the Australian spin-department. “On this fifth day pitch the spinners looked a long way from getting a wicket. Not just that even their seamers didn’t get many,” said Zaheer.

Ponting did admit though that his side missed a quality spinner. “A quality spinner might have made things a little different today. We’ve got a couple of days to recover from this game now and we hope to play hard Cricket in Mohali as well,” he said.

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to be a exciting series by vicky on 2008-10-15 21:38:22.685366+05:30
Ah, i would like to comment on a different issue...after this fisr test i have seen only a few number of aussied in stadium. What i mean to say when india tours australia....there is a vigorous promotion of the tour within india...an about 70000 indians gone to austrlia in last tour to watch matches...an what we see here is jus a couple of aussie fans in stadium....is there any problem with the promotion of matches played here , in australia......what i mean to say if more internation fans we get the people would definatly get a more excited enviornment for enjoying the game with full spirit rather jus claping in for one side.....there seems no compitition in crowds in stadium as the nmber of aussie fans are low....i want bcci to use some of it's muscle power for the promotion of this exciting tour.not only this tour but later ones too..it would be commercially vaible too for the bcci an for the gov. as it get tourist.but for the most it would be a cheerful envionmen in stadium

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"For the Man" by Afzal Ahmed on 2008-10-15 13:27:14.879876+05:30
Hi Friends lets all cheer Zaheer for a change and stand shoulder to shoulder with him. The Aussies as usual want to pick on Zaheer. He only replied to comment by the Aussies. Why do we have to keep our mouth shut when Picked On. this is not 1940's. Let the best Men win. But we stand with Zaheer and our term.

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War of words by Hemant G Ketkar on 2008-10-14 10:02:31.027913+05:30
Zaheer's outburst is clear indication that he wants to give mouthfull to Australian strategy for demoralising the oponent and nothing other than simple formulae of having upper hand. But, still I fee that we should be cautious about using words, because as far as the quality and class is concerned, they are still having upper hand in Wrold cricket. We Indians so far as on date, not to prefer to open the mouth instead of that perform on the field.Otherwise, we should maintain sporting spiring and play cricket as a gentlemen's cricket as we used to. It is our tradition right from Vinu Mankad, Dattu Phadke, Polly Umrigar, MK Pataudi, F. Engineer, Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, who show their excellence on the field but not on print media.

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FOOT IN THE MOUTH

by CHANDRA on 2008-10-14 15:20:30.257946+05:30
AS USUAL OUR INDIAN PLAYERS HAVING THE HABIT OF PUTTING THEIR FOOT IN THE MOUTH WITH THEIR IDIOTIC STATEMENTS.WE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF BATTING EVEN FOR A DAY ON THE SAME WICKET AND STRUGGLED TO DO SO AND ALSO COULD WE ALSO CLAIMED BEFORE THE SERIES STARTED-SEGWAG AND HARBACHHAN THAT WILL WIN THE SERIES 3-1,BUT THE REULT IS ALL TO SEE.OUR CRICKETERS HAVE BECOME BLOATED WITH THEIR KIN SIZE EGOS AND DANCING WITH FILM STARS INSTEAD OF SPENDING VALABULE TIME ON THE PRACTICE

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zaheer's tit for tat

by Indian on 2008-10-14 14:49:26.67878+05:30
hemant ketkar, it seems u r an Australian writing under an Indian sounding pseudonym.

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Ketkar

by Girish on 2008-10-15 09:40:32.567403+05:30
Ketakar's English seems Ghati enough for me! Why do you optimistically hope that an Aussies will go through the bother of posting subtle comments?

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Zaheers big mouth

by kashi Mallya on 2008-10-15 01:53:27.003996+05:30
As usual we Indians are big mouths with the media and ZERO when it come sto performing.No doubt Australia would have won this test but for bad light and time wasting tacticsby the indians.Even after managing a dignified draw, Zaheer had to open his mouth and sour matters.If he thinks OZ spinners are no good, wonder what he thinks of anil Kumble and Bhajji who between themn got 3 wickets for over 300 runs...Oz spinners gort 3-165!

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