Jaques and Hayden defend Aussie approach

SYDNEY: Australian opening pair Phil Jaques and Matthew Hayden on Friday defended the aggressive approach of the world champions to their cricket following last week's controversial Sydney Test.   

Indian captain Anil Kumble sparked a chorus of criticism of the Australians' gamesmanship after the home side's 122-run win in the second Test, saying "only one team played in the game's spirit".   

The Australians have since been widely criticised for displaying poor sportsmanship during the match, including Andrew Symonds failing to walk when he should have been given out, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke claiming doubtful catches, and the appeal that led to the erroneous Rahul Dravid dismissal.    

Ponting's captaincy was also criticised and there were calls for him to be sacked. However, Jaques said he was comfortable with what happened.   

"If I thought there was something that was untoward in the way we play the game or if anything was said that crossed the line, I for one would have said something," he said. "I'm sure the other guys would have said something as well. I think we play the game in the right spirit. We play the game hard, but we play the game fair."   

With two Tests remaining in the series, the batsman said he doubted the team would alter their approach, adding, "I don't think there's been too much wrong with the way we play cricket.   

"I don't think the recent events warrant us drastically changing the way we play the game. They're entitled to their opinion, but we know the way we play and in our hearts we play as fairly as we can."   

Although the Indians have threatened to cancel their tour pending the result of Harbhajan Singh's appeal against a three-Test ban for allegedly racially abusing Symonds, Jaques said he was confident the teams could put aside their differences.  

"Obviously a few things have happened over the last couple of weeks but we're still two very good cricket teams out to win the series and I'm sure it'll be played in the right spirit," he said.   

Jaques was disappointed some of the gloss had been taken off Australia's 16th straight Test win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"It's been a bit of a shame this week because it was such a great Test match in Sydney and I think that was lost in all the stuff that has gone on," he said.   

Meanwhile, Hayden said emotion was an important part of cricket.   

"When I finish cricket I don't want to have to be in a game where everything is robots and robotic," he said. "I want to see Ricky Ponting going like that when he wins and plays for Australia.   

"That's the heat of the battle, that's Test cricket, that's the enormous passion and enthusiasm...  you see it even in backyard cricket."