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Friday, Mar 16, 2007
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Gavaskar's remarks draw flak

SYDNEY: Former Australian cricketers Allan Border and Darren Lehmann have condemned former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar for linking the behaviour of Australian cricketers with the death of David Hookes.

Hookes, a former Australian cricketer, died after being punched outside a bar in Melbourne three years ago.

Border, who has been friends with Gavaskar for 20 years, was particularly upset.

"I consider Sunny a friend, but what he said about David Hookes and the behaviour of Australian cricketers was totally uncalled for," he told The Australian newspaper on Thursday.

"What Sunny said on television was totally inappropriate. For him (Gavaskar) to link David's death to players allegedly misbehaving on a cricket field is plain wrong," Border said.

Lehmann said Gavaskar's remarks about Hookes were "out of order." "I'm pretty disappointed with Gavaskar. His remarks only hurt David Hookes' family and friends and tarnish Hookesy's memory," Lehmann told the newspaper.

"A man of Gavaskar's stature in the game of cricket should know better."

Mistaken cultural belief

Border said Gavaskar has a mistaken cultural belief in the way Australia plays its cricket.

"Where Australia may be seen to be playing the game hard and tough could be misconstrued on the sub-continent," Border said.

Former England captain Tony Greig has joined the bandwagon of former cricketers in attacking Gavaskar for his remarks on the behaviour of Australian cricketers, saying the comments were "inappropriate".

Greig was particularly unhappy that Gavaskar cited the example of ex-Australian cricketer David Hookes to illustrate his point. — Agencies

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