CA reprimand Hayden for Harbhajan comments

Melbourne, Feb 27 (UNI) Cricket Australia (CA) reprimanded opener Matthew Hayden for his remarks against Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh after a lengthy hearing here today.

Commissioner Ron Beazley issued a reprimand to Hayden shortly after 11pm (local time) as a penalty for breaching the CA code of conduct.

The burly opener, however, denied that he meant to abuse Harbhajan.

''I maintain my innocence,'' he said. ''My intentions were never to denigrate cricket or anyone but the umpire has made his decision and in the spirit of our own code of behaviour and the great game of cricket I respect and accept the decision.'' Hayden said after the hearing that he is now keen to put the incident behind him and focus on the upcoming CB Series finals against India.

''We've got a trophy out there that, for the next few weeks, I'm obviously really keen with my team-mates to concentrate on,'' he quipped.

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