Hayden should behave like an international cricketer: Ganguly

Kolkata, Feb 5 (PTI) Former India captain Sourav Gangulytoday hit back at Matthew Hayden for claiming that he hadchickened out of 2004 Nagpur Test because of the green wicketthere, saying his record on such pitches in Australia wouldtell a different story.

Hayden, who retired in 2009, had written in hisautobiography ''Standing My Ground'' that the sudden withdrawalof Ganguly and Harbhajan from the Test which the visitorseventually won to clinch a historic series win, was due to thefear of the green pitch on offer.

"I request him (Hayden) to behave like an internationalplayer," Ganguly said.

Drawing comparison of the Nagpur wicket with that ofGabba in Brisbane, Hayden had written that Ganguly''slate withdrawal was due "greentrackitis, where you develop asevere intolerance to green wickets likely to give plenty ofheadaches as a batsman".

Ganguly reminded Hayden that he had scored a hundred atGabba besides playing important roles in India''s wins later.

"He remembered Brisbane in Nagpur. Just want to remindhim of my hundred in Brisbane in the first Test. Also since2003, we have beaten them (Australia) everytime in Brisbane.

Me and Bhajji have been important part of Indian team on allthose wins," he said.

Ganguly, who was the Indian captain, pulled out of theNagpur Test, citing a leg-muscle injury. The home side wastrailing 0-1 in the four-match Test series.

Australia won the Nagpur Test to win their first everTest series after 35 years. India, however, won the last Testin Mumbai.