Haddin, Zaheer in slegding row

Bangalore, Oct 11 (UNI) Acrimony between the Australian and Indian players, that left a bad taste during India's tour Down Under earlier this year, continued with speedster Zaheer Khan complaining to Ricky Ponding against apparent sledging by keeper Brad Haddin.

The incident occurred after the tea break when Zaheer came to the crease following the dismissal of Saurav Ganguly and Johnson peppering the Indian batsmen with a couple of short pitched deliveries. Zaheer looked apparently piqued over some remarks made by the keeper and immediately informed Ponting. The Mumbai speedster was also seen angrily gesticulating his fore finger at the stumper.

However a brief spell of showers that stopped play for 28 minutes at 1512 hrs seemed to cool the tempers of the two players as well.

Zaheer was seen explaining to Ponting about the incident all along when players walked back to pavilion due to the rain stoppage even as ground staff ran in to cover the pitch.

There was some disturbance between the two skippers on the opening day when Anil Kumble had claimed a return catch off the skipper's blade but was overturned by the umpire.

UNI RS-BSP AB AS1950