KEY POINTS:
Australian officials are hosing down sledging accusations made by New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent, claiming the verbal sparring is merely a reflection of a close but intense Anzac rivalry.
Having made a successful return to international cricket with a half-century during New Zealand's agonisingly close run-chase on Sunday night, Vincent yesterday panned the Australians for their lack of humility and oversized egos.
In an interview with Radio Sport breakfast host Tony Veitch, the New Zealand opening batsman spoke about the sledging he received from the world champions as he marked his comeback game with a stylish 66 off 82 balls.
"It's never-ending," said Vincent. "They're very close-knit. They hunt like a pack of dogs. There's not just one guy going at you, there's a little bit here, a little bit there.
"I mean, I love that part of the game, I think it's brilliant but - as soon as they start calling you all sorts of stuff it gets a bit tiring - you know what I mean?"
His comments, which have already made news in Australia, are sure to fire up the hosts even more when the teams next meet on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - not that Cricket Australia is unduly concerned.
Its public affairs manager, Peter Young, said yesterday that the reports simply underlined the passion felt by sportspeople on both sides of the Tasman whenever Australia and New Zealand met in competition.
"One of the things between Australia and New Zealand is that the rivalry and the intensity of the rivalry is right up there with our rivalry with England," said Young.
"It's reflected in [rugby's] Bledisloe Cup but also on the field in cricket. The one big unifying thing has been the Anzacs, but other than that we're at each other's throats more often than we stand together."
Young refused to condemn the approach taken by the Australian national side, reasoning that in top-level competition there was always a bit of pointed banter, and that as long as players didn't overstep the boundary there wasn't a problem.
"Our players in our view play very hard, and that's one reason that they're number one in the world in both forms of the game. But they understand the issue of playing fair.
"We make no secret of the fact that we would like one day to see the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy up there with the Bledisloe Cup, partly because there is such an intense rivalry.
"What Lou Vincent is saying is not particularly different to what a lot of people say about competing against Australia. It's red-blooded competition."
He said Australia was unlikely to petition the International Cricket Council to take a code of conduct action against the New Zealander.
"I don't think we're that delicate."
For all that, Vincent's accusations appear to have guaranteed him some extra attention on Sunday.
"I watched [Roger] Federer the other day and thought, 'What a true champion', said Vincent.
"He's the sort of guy you want to watch because he plays the game well and he's humble about it.
"But you watch Australia and just their egos, you know what I mean? Sure, you're talented, you've got great players and you win most of the time, but as blokes they've got no time for you.
"So to take them on and stick it to them is my motivation.
"I personally think that they think they're bigger than the game," he said.
"It's all about standing up to them. We're not intimidated by them and that's the biggest thing.
"You might not be their friends, but at the end of the day I don't care if I'm not friends with those guys. They're the enemy."
* Allrounder Scott Styris is set to join the New Zealand side in Melbourne today, in time to be considered for the match against Australia on Sunday.
