WC 2015 AUS vs NZ: Celebrations in full swing, 'drunk' Haddin says 'nice' Kiwis 'deserved' sledging
Sydney: Under the influence Australian wicketkeeper batsman Brad Haddin has shot back at his critics and claimed that the New Zealanders deserved the rebukes he gave them in the Cricket World Cup final.
Addressing questions over his controversial sending off of New Zealand batsmen Martin Guptill and Grant Elliott in Sunday's one-sided decider, the Australian wicket-keeper insisted that Brendon McCullum's men deserved it.
Initially a composed Steven Smith, who had also had a sleepless night, had revealed that they were still going, insisting that the boys were having a good time and they had seen the sun come up in Melbourne. He also added that it had been an amazing 24 hours, News.com.au reported.
It was a great crowd at Federation Square in Melbourne today that celebrated with the Aussies! #GoGold https://t.co/AwmoVDmsBL
— Cricket Video (@CricketVideo) March 30, 2015
The star batsman, who again performed with a fine 56 at a packed MCG, added that the players had even enjoyed a drink with the New Zealand players. He said that McCullum's men came in for a beer after the game, adding that they are a great bunch of guys.
How about the reception for the skipper! #GoGold https://t.co/N39l5AKb3O
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 30, 2015
Then Smith passed the phone to Haddin, who he described as the drunkest man in the team. And Haddin, on being questioned about the controversial sledging incident, said that, 'you know what? They deserved it.'
Watch as thousands of fans joined #AUS's World Cup celebrations in Melbourne today: http://t.co/DGumk8Eqdw #GoGold pic.twitter.com/z7rQ6ISrxq
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 30, 2015
Haddin then went on to talk about how 'nice' the New Zealanders had treated the Australians while they were in New Zealand earlier in the tournament. Initially, what came across as sarcasm was actually a sincere word from the wicket-keeper.
Teammates back Starc to translate World Cup domination into Test cricket: http://t.co/AfQbKo8Y4G #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/58DuibZdbt
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 30, 2015
Haddin said McCullum's men were that nice to the Australian team in New Zealand and they were that uncomfortable. He added that he said in the team meeting that he can't stand for this anymore, and they are going at them as hard as they can. The wicket-keeper batsman insisted that it was that uncomfortable, adding that all the New Zealand squad was that nice to Australians for seven days. He claimed that he said that he was not playing cricket like this, insisting that if they get another crack at New Zealand in the final he would let everything out.