Cricket: Tough talkers trade knocks

Coach John Bracewell says the NZ camp has no divisions and a strong sense of loyalty. Picture / Paul Estcourt

The world's most controversial cricket coach hit back at the world's most controversial player last night, as the gloves came off in the lead up to the first transtasman test at Jade Stadium.

New Zealand coach John Bracewell, already notorious across the Ditch for a gaggle of conspiracy theories, flatly rejected suggestions from Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne that his behaviour had affected his team's one-day performance.

Warne made the comments only hours after arriving in Christchurch, introducing the topic into a media conference off his own bat and floating the theory that the New Zealand players must be cringing about what their coach might say next.

"In terms of the players, they must be getting pretty nervous every time he comes to his press, I would have thought," said Warne, himself no stranger to controversy after a cluster of sexual misadventures, a money-for-information scandal and a year-long drugs suspension.

"I'm not sure how they're getting along with him, but if I were them I'd be listening to Stephen Fleming and not John Bracewell."

But Bracewell, who most recently accused Ricky Ponting of delaying tactics and Brett Lee of being a serial apologiser, scoffed at the remarks last night, claiming there were no divisions within the camp and that the sense of loyalty was strong.

Known as an intense competitor in his playing days, Bracewell said Warne was free to express his opinion along with anyone else, but that it was incorrect to suggest that the New Zealand team were anything but strongly united.

"It's a pretty tight unit, to be honest," Bracewell said.

"They're a good bunch of guys who work bloody hard, enjoy playing for New Zealand and are honoured to be playing in a test match against Australia on home soil."

Bracewell said he always expected complete honesty from his players, and that the New Zealand team environment encouraged players to be up-front about complaints or concerns, and to feel comfortable about asking questions.

Asked if any of the players had questioned his media antics, he said: "No, not at all".

"I just answer questions as honestly as I can, but always with the interest of the Black Caps at heart - as well as my passion for NZC and the success of this particular side."

Warne evidently took a dim view of Bracewell's questions about Lee, but he also found it difficult to digest the New Zealander's pitch-swapping allegations in Brisbane, the claim that Channel Nine was manipulating its Hawkeye radar readings, and the complaint about the dodgy NatWest Trophy draw.

"You name it, mate. You name it. All of it. I think he's probably pretty embarrassed with some of the ridiculous things he's been saying.

"I couldn't believe some of that. I've heard some excuses in my time, but I think some of those he's been coming up with are the best I've ever heard. It was absolutely ridiculous, what he was saying."

The New Zealand team continued their buildup to the test with an open-wicket practice yesterday at Lincoln, where they changed from their usual sponsored black and white training gear, instead sporting their playing whites.

Bracewell said it was hoped the idea would emphasise to the players that their one-day commitments had ended and that they could now start tuning in to a fresh, new start to the test series, and an entirely different challenge.

"And I quite like the cleanliness of it all."