Gilly backs Haydos, says his teammates think the world of him

Retiring Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist says his teammates and he think the world of opener Matthew Hayden.

Melbourne, Feb.28 : Retiring Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist says his teammates and he think the world of opener Matthew Hayden.

Responding to Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh's verbal attack on Hayden after the latter's "obnoxious weed" remark, Fox Sports quoted Gilchrist as saying "I've not ever cared to think what other teams think of Matthew Hayden. He's one of the most well-respected people in our team, so that's all that interests me."

Gilchrist also denied Australia captain Ricky Ponting had told Harbhajan to "f..k off" during a match in this one-day series.

"Ricky didn't use the words that were said in the paper," he said.

Gilchrist also denied that what Ponting claimed he had said to Harbhajan was inflammatory.

"It hasn't been in the last 12 years I've been playing international cricket," he said.

Gilchrist said it was important that Australia not let any ill feeling creep into their game when they take on the Indians in a best-of-three finals series starting in Sydney on Sunday.

Gilchrist admitted the succession of controversies through the summer were wearing thin on him.

"I don't want to add anything more to it, everyone is over it a little bit now," he said.

Gilchrist admitted he will not miss the media attention once he retires at the end of the finals series.

ANI