Melbourne: In a clear indication that the defeat has not gone down well with them, the Aussie media took a dig at India’s boisterous celebration after their semifinal victory over world champions Australia in the Twenty20 cricket World Cup.

“The Indian players were overjoyed with their victory, celebrating wildly as if they had just won the soccer World Cup,” said The Australian.

The daily also observed that it were India and Pakistan, the two teams which were humiliated in the World Cup in the West Indies, went on to reach the final.

Though S Sreesanth was hailed for being “outstanding” with his 2-12 haul, the newspaper criticised the “volatile paceman” for his “boorish and unnecessary send-off of Hayden after claiming his wicket.”

The Australian Associated Press report was a little toned down in its opinion on the Indian pacer and it said, “Sreesanth claimed an inspired 2-12 for India, taking the key scalps of Hayden and Adam Gilchrist (22) – while giving both batsman a few choice words as they left the pitch.”

Australian media also had another reason to worry and they felt with Mike Hussey becoming the third Australian to break down with a hamstring injury, it might leave the side depleted when the team travels to India for a seven-match ODI series later this month.

Earlier Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson suffered similar injuries. While Ponting has been given the green signal — he would still miss at least the first two matches anyway — Watson has been ruled out altogether.
- PTI Sunday, September 23, 2007 21:31 [IST]

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