Australia’s cricketers have long been regarded as the masters of verbal aggression.
The amount of banter they will target at the Black Caps has been one of the talking points leading up to the tantalising World Cup clash between the tournament co-hosts in Auckland on Saturday.
But the Australians have found a defender in veteran New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori.
The former Black Caps skipper, whose international career began in 1998, says he can’t recall being subjected to a sledge during a trans-Tasman encounter.
“Like everything, it’s a little bit overstated,” he said.
“In my 18 years now of playing, I can’t even remember being sledged by an Australian team. I think the way that it’s portrayed is not quite right.”
Vettori said the Black Caps were looking forward to what awaited them at Eden Park.
“It is more about the actual physical contest,” he said.
“I think that’s the thing that guys get up for and get excited about. I don’t expect it to be any different in this game.”
Eden Park has been sold out for the clash, and Vettori is looking forward to a similar vibrant atmosphere as in the Black Caps’ last match, when a full house in Wellington witnessed their eight-wicket drubbing of England.
Asked if he wanted the New Zealand fans to give the Australian side a hostile reception, Vettori replied: “Not really, no.
“I don’t think it’s an issue for anyone. It will be a lot of fun and I think the Australian guys will love it and we will love it as well.”
Earlier this week, coach Mike Hesson said the Black Caps wouldn’t be indulging in any sledging.
“We deal with plenty of sides that provide that and we just tend to go about our work,” he said.
“We don’t get too caught up on that sort of stuff.”
Hesson said there wasn’t a team directive on the issue.
“We don’t have a team rule,” he said.
“We’re respectful of our opposition. We focus on what we are trying to do rather than anything else.”
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