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An angry Brad Haddin has turned on New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori for questioning his integrity as the tourists stand their ground over glove-gate.
Haddin came out swinging the day after his actions caused the major talking point of New Zealand's thrilling two-wicket win over Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy opener in Perth.
The Australian wicketkeeper somehow remained adamant Michael Clarke's delivery to New Zealand's Neil Broom hit the stumps, despite television replays clearly showing his gloves had broken the stumps and the ball had passed over the top.
Vettori last night said he was "disappointed" in Haddin's actions, when he had the opportunity to recall Broom at a crucial stage in the match.
"I think you saw from Haddin's reaction that he knew something was wrong so he probably should have made more noise about it," Vettori said.
Haddin bit back today.
"I was disappointed in that, Dan had a chance to come and speak to me after the game. I was very shocked to ready today's paper that he didn't come and speak to me, pretty disappointed that he's questioned my integrity, I think it's quite poor," Haddin said.
"I think the polite or the decent thing to do would be to come and ask me.
"He's played a lot of cricket now and he knows too well what happens with these situations, so I thought it was a bit low.
"I was unaware at the time that my hands were in front of the stumps, after looking at the replay my hands were in front of the stumps, but the ball I am 100 per cent sure hit the bails first then came up into my gloves."
Today, Vettori was reluctant to discuss the issue further but attempted to smooth the waters with Haddin.
"It was a subjective analysis of the situation, there was no intention of casting aspersions on his character," Vettori told NZPA.
Still, after watching replays the New Zealand camp were adamant the ball missed the stumps and Haddin broke the bails.
And Haddin's concession that he broke the rules by admitting his gloves were in front of the stumps called into question Australian umpire Bruce Oxenford.
Cricket's laws state the wicketkeeper should have all parts of his person behind the stumps until the ball passes by, meaning Oxenford should have called no-ball from square leg.
Haddin, meanwhile, said he would not confront Vettori over the incident as both sides head to Melbourne for the second game of the series on Friday.
He also quelled suggestions there would be tension between the sides in Melbourne.
"I don't think it'll add any bad blood at all, we're down 1-0 in a five-match series, we've got to concentrate on getting our game back in order and getting back into the series.
"That's why I'm speaking about that now, so we can get this out of the way and concentrate on playing cricket."
Haddin became irate when questioned further, asking reporters "you want to talk about the game?"
New Zealand suffered an injury blow today when opener Jesse Ryder was ruled out of the tour after failing to recover from his shoulder injury.
Team management had hoped Ryder would be fit to play in Melbourne but confirmed today he was heading home for treatment and Craig Cumming would remain with the side.
Meanwhile, an Australian team spokesman played down reports captain Ricky Ponting would be rested for the next three matches in the series to give him a break from a punishing schedule.
The spokesman said no decision had been made.
Ponting also fired up at Vettori's comments about Haddin at the post-match press conference yesterday.
"I think he'd better make sure he's 100 per cent right before he comes out and makes those sort of statements. It's a bit much, he's basically claiming (Haddin's) a cheat, isn't he?
"That's a bit strong unless they're 100 per cent certain," Ponting said.
Australian opener Shaun Marsh was being reassessed today after suffering what appeared a series hamstring injury yesterday.
- NZPA
