Haddin hits back at cheat claims

Brad Haddin has strongly denied any wrongdoing in Neil Broom's Perth dismissal

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has defended himself against suggestions he cheated during Australia's two-wicket one-day international loss to New Zealand in Perth.

Following the match, narrowly won by the Black Caps off the final ball of the innings, opposition skipper Daniel Vettori revealed he was disappointed Haddin had not called Neil Broom back to the crease after the batsman was adjudged to have been bowled by Michael Clarke in the 36th over.

Replays of the incident indicated that instead of bowling the batsman, the ball was actually taken in front of the stumps by Haddin and the wicketkeeper had dislodged the bails with his hands.

Under law 40.3, the delivery should have been adjudged a no-ball but Haddin was adamant Broom was out.

"My hands were in front of the stumps which I've seen on replay," he said.

"I was unaware at the time that my hands were in front of the stumps but I'm 100 per cent certain the ball hit the stumps and bounced up into my gloves."

Haddin was also upset Vettori had not discussed the incident with him

"I'm pretty disappointed that he's questioned my integrity," he added.

"I think it's quite poor. He had a chance to come and speak to me after the game. I'm pretty disappointed in Dan that he didn't have the decency to come and speak to me if he had an issue with it rather than air his thoughts in a press conference.

"I think that's the polite thing of it, the decent thing to do would be come and ask me. He's played a lot of cricket now and he knows too well what happens with these situations.

"I thought it was a bit low, he could have come and talked to me."

Broom's dismissal saw New Zealand slump to 106 for five chasing 182 to win with just over 13 overs remaining.

But a 62-run partnership between Kiwi top scorer Ross Taylor (64) and man of the match Kyle Mills (26 runs and 4-35) swung the momentum back in the tourists' favour.

Haddin, though, insisted the incident would not create any bad blood between the sides during this series.

"We're down 1-0 in a five-match series, we've got to concentrate on getting our game back into order and getting back into the series," he said.

"That's why I'm speaking about that (the Broom dismissal) now, to get everything out of the way so we can concentrate on playing cricket."

Australian skipper Ponting, meanwhile, leapt to the defence of his wicketkeeper.

"It's a bit much," he said.

"He's basically claiming he's a cheat isn't he? I think he'd better make sure that he's a 100 per cent right before he comes out and makes those sort of statements.

"He's basically had a bit of a crack at Hads' make up I guess. I think it's a bit strong unless they're a 100 per cent certain so we'll wait and see but if Brad is in the clear, then I'll certainly be letting Daniel know about it."

Ponting underlined Haddin had been confident Broom was bowled.

"Out on the field at the time, he (Haddin) said he was certain that the ball had flicked the top of the off stump," Ponting explained.

"And, that was where it was left. Obviously the umpire gave it out and the batsman walked off and the next I heard of it was when the guy asked me about it on the field after play.

"I honestly can't answer whether it was right or wrong at the moment, because I haven't seen it."

It's not the first time Ponting has had to defend Haddin from New Zealand accusations of bending the rules.

In December 2007, Haddin was deputising for the rested Adam Gilchrist during a one-day international in Hobart when he was accused by the Black Caps of deliberately running up the wicket to create scuff marks.

Meanwhile, New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder will not take any further part in the tour after a shoulder injury which flared up in training last week has not responded sufficiently to treatment. Reserve wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins will remain with the squad for the time being.