My friendship with Sunny over on Hookes' slur: Border

Sydney, Mar 14 (UNI) Australian great Allan Border said his 20-year friendship with Sunil Gavaskar was at a breaking point after the Indian legend's remarks about the late David Hookes in the acrimonious spat with Ricky Ponting.

In a rejoinder to Ponting's counter-attack, Gavaskar had said a ''hot head guy'' might actually whack the Australian cricketers if they dared replicate their on-field behaviour in a bar.

The former India captain cited the example of late Australian player David Hookes, who had been fatally beaten up outside a bar.

Backing Ponting in the verbal duel, Border said Gavaskar's reference of Hookes was ''inappropriate and uncalled for'' and the Indian great ''has a mistaken cultural belief in the way Australia plays the game.'' ''I consider Sunny a friend, but what he said about David Hookes and the behaviour of Australian cricketers was totally uncalled for.

''What Sunny said on television was totally inappropriate,'' the former Aussie captain told 'The Australian' newspaper.

Border said Hookes was a fantastic cricketer, husband, family man and a mate.

''For him (Gavaskar) to link David's death to players allegedly misbehaving on a cricket field is plain wrong.

''Where Australia may be seen to be playing the game hard and tough could be misconstrued on the subcontinent.

''Similarly, the way India plays the game at times may not be to the liking of every Australian. Cricket is a global sport in which different cultures lock horns out in the middle, only the nuances of the game may vary from country to country.

''While a cricketer on the subcontinent or the West Indies may find an Australian bowler's remark to a particular batsman of 'you lucky bastard' offensive, to players in other teams it's not.

''Sunny has missed the point here badly. He's clearly overlooked the fact there are different cultures at work.

''I think he is drawing a long bow blaming our cricketers for misbehaving. While I do admit words are said out in the middle, we play the game hard, but fair,'' Border.

Former Aussie player Darren Lehmann also backed Border saying that Gavaskar's remarks has hurt David Hookes' family and friends and tarnish the late cricketer's memory.

''A man of Gavaskar's stature in the game of cricket should know better. His outburst about David Hookes was totally out of order and in bad taste.

''As to what he said about the way Australia goes about playing the game, he's overlooked the fact there are officials who are empowered to take action if someone is out of order,'' Lehmann said.

UNI