IndVsAus: Matthew Hayden backs Smith over DRS issue

Former Australia opening batsman Matthew Hayden opened up over the DRS controversy in the second Test between India and Australia.

Speaking to The Hindu, Hayden said that he did not believe that Australia captain Steve Smith sought instructions from the dressing room on a regular basis.

Smith was caught leg before wicket in the fourth innings while Australia were chasing down India's total. He questioned his teammate Peter Handscomb, who later took to Twitter saying that he advised Smith to ask the dressing room.

I referred smudga to look at the box... my fault and was unaware of the rule. Shouldn't take anything away from what was an amazing game!

— Peter Handscomb (@phandscomb54) March 7, 2017

When Smith looked at the dressing room, India captain Virat Kohli questioned the spirit of the game. Later in a press conference, Kohli added that it wasn't the first time this was done - an allegation Smith has denied.

Hayden, too, backed Smith, saying he believed the Australians did not seek instructions from the dressing room on a regular basis.

“I take Smith for his word. I believe what he said. Fifteen seconds is not enough to get a message across and back from the dressing room.”

On the question of sledging, Hayden said, “All teams sledge. And if you ask me, verbal sledging is only 10 per cent of the total package. Just look at a scenario where the batsman is under no pressure. Whatever words you say to him would hardly matter to him. He would just ignore them.”

The former batsman, whose career changed for the better during the historic 2001 series against India, praised the BCCI and Cricket Australia for their efforts in putting a lid on the issue. “I think the two Boards acted well to nip the issue in the bud. The ICC and the match referee too handled the matter capably. And we could see the effect of that today, there were no incidents here.”