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 cricket Test in Adelaide.
"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."
Also read: Hayden's ton helps Australia
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 on Saturday.
The burly left-hander said the first session on Sunday 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 on Saturday.
Also read: Gilchrist to retire
"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.
