Australian batsman Hayden reprimanded

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

BRISBANE (AFP) — Outspoken Australian batsman Matthew Hayden has been reprimanded by Cricket Australia (CA) for calling Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh an "obnoxious weed".

CA's code of conduct commissioner, Ron Beazley, "issued a reprimand to Hayden... as penalty for the breach" after a two-hour hearing in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Hayden was charged by Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland under rule nine of the CA Code of Behaviour which prohibits players from the "public denigration of other players against whom they have or will play".

Despite the damning audio evidence of his comments, Hayden said he was disappointed to have been found guilty.

"I maintain my innocence, my intentions were never to denigrate cricket or anyone," he said. "But...