adminAUSTRALIA’s coach Darren Lehmann has mounted a defence of the vice captain, Brad Haddin, saying his aggressive antics towards New Zealand in the World Cup final were in accordance with the team’s plans for the tournament decider.
Haddin has been roundly criticised for being the ringleader of several send-offs to departing New Zealand batsmen in Australia’s comfortable victory, something he later put down to feeling “uncomfortable” at how “nice” the same opponents had been during an earlier pool match in Auckland.
Speaking to Adelaide radio station 5AA, Lehmann said the Australians had played the final the way they wanted to, and admitted the team plans had called for a “really aggressive” approach towards New Zealand to throw them off their rhythm.
He also noted the lack of ICC code of conduct reports out of the game, and was dismissive of complaints about the team’s alcohol-soaked celebrations.
More critical than Haddin’s actions, Lehmann felt, was the first over dismissal of Brendon McCullum by Mitchell Starc, a moment that had the previously confident and fearless New Zealand side retreating into themselves with tentative play typified by Martin Guptill’s dismissal by Glenn Maxwell. – CricInfo.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter