Cricket: Aggro still simmering ahead of second ODI today

Mitchell Johnson and Scott Styris square off in Napier. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Don't expect any cooling off in aggression between New Zealand and Australian players for the rest of the Chappell Hadlee series.

But both camps were yesterday talking restraint and the importance of knowing where to draw the line between acceptable intensity and going over the top.

After Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson's clash with Scott Styris as he pushed New Zealand towards a thrilling two-wicket win in Napier on Wednesday night, much of the talk going into today's second ODI at Eden Park has been around how far players on either side should push the boundaries.

New Zealand captain Dan Vettori and Australian allrounder Shane Watson talked sensibly yesterday, while making it plain there won't be any backing away.

"We've got to make sure those things don't happen," Vettori said. "Everybody wants to see a really aggressive game and two teams going at it.

"You want to play with as much intensity and rivalry as possible, but there's a line you don't want to step over. It's the responsibility of the captains to make sure it doesn't happen."

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting had spoken to his players after the Napier match, Watson confirmed.

"He had a chat to us to let us know that there is a line and no matter what we can't cross it," Watson said. "It's something Ricky and the coaching and support staff are always talking to us about. We can't afford for anyone to get suspended or fined, because it's not in the spirit of the game."

That came too late for Johnson, who copped a fine of 60 per cent of his match fee for his role in the Napier standoff, which included angry words, bumped shoulders and a gentle head butt, forehead onto helmet grill. Styris was hit with a 15 per cent payment loss for his part.

Vettori maintained "the overriding principle is still about adhering to the spirit of the game, and most teams do it pretty well throughout the world".

Watson had words with New Zealand allrounder James Franklin in the opening Twenty20 match in Wellington, earning himself early-tour villain status with the crowd. He said Australia would always be forthright on the park and he was certain New Zealand wouldn't be tailing off.

"They're aggressive and competitive every time they play," Watson said. "We're going to be doing everything we can, no doubt, within the rules to win because it means so much for us."

And he suspected that for all the tut-tutting that surrounds the juicier moments crowds enjoy watching hard-headed, no backward steps competition.

"That's what everyone loves to see. You just want to make sure you don't cross the line because that's no good for anyone."