Date:14/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101455881900.htm

Sport - Cricket

War of words

— Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Zaheer Khan.

BANGALORE: The verbal volleys intrinsic to a series between India and Australia have begun.

Ricky Ponting dismissed Zaheer Khan’s alleged remarks about the Aussies being defensive. “We were the only ones in the game trying to take the match forward. Zaheer can have a little bit of a chuckle and it doesn’t mean much to us,” Ponting said here on Monday.

Reacting to Ponting’s words, Zaheer said: “The Aussies couldn’t get 20 wickets, they couldn’t even get me and ‘Bhajji’ out.”

“On this fifth day pitch, their spinners looked a long way from getting a wicket and even their seamers didn’t get many. I am sure we are in with a chance in this series,” Zaheer said.About the verbal duel with Haddin, Zaheer said: “You know how the Aussies are. Some words were said but we settled it then and there.” — Principal Correspondent