LONDON, 30 June 2005 — A heated stand-off between Australian opener Matthew Hayden and England fast bowler Simon Jones in the triangular series one-day washout has laid down a marker for what might follow in the Ashes Tests to come.
Jones apologized to Hayden after hitting him on the shoulder with the ball in a run-out attempt during Tuesday’s day-night encounter at Edgbaston in Birmingham but the Australian reacted angrily, squaring up to the bowler and exchanging words.
Paul Collingwood, Australia captain Ricky Ponting and umpire Billy Bowden had to intervene to calm the pair.
England captain Michael Vaughan and Ponting accept such incidents will always occur in the heat of battle and readily agree more of the same is likely in the five Ashes Tests from late July to mid-September.
“We both play it pretty tough so I won’t say it will be the last time we have a few words,” Vaughan told reporters after England were left stranded by the rain on 37 for one in reply to Australia’s 262 for nine.
“It is always like that when England play Australia. We try to play in the right spirit but things will get heated at times. “I am sure more words will be exchanged out in the middle between the sides and things will get heated again.” Ponting said: “It was just something that happened in the heat of battle. I don’t think there was any malice or that he meant to hit Matty (Hayden).
“You are entitled to try to run out a guy, but looking at it the throw was not all that close to the stumps.”
Jones dismissed Hayden leg before wicket for 14 soon after the spat but, although the match and tempers were eventually washed out by the rain, there had already been controversy.
Before the start of play, Hayden and fellow opener Adam Gilchrist refused to walk on to the field via the guard of honor, a group of children holding St. George flags at the request of match organizers.
This year’s Ashes series is one of the most eagerly anticipated for years, with world champions Australia pitted against their nearest challengers. Although England have not got close to winning the Ashes since 1986-67, they have climbed to second in the world rankings.
South Africa’s Ntini Signs for Warwickshire
Meanwhile, South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini will join Warwickshire for the second half of this season, the English county club said yesterday.
Ntini will replace Zimbabwe paceman Heath Streak, who returns home in August for the New Zealand and India series.
“I am really looking forward to playing for Warwickshire,” the 27-year-old Ntini said in a statement. Ntini, who has taken 221 wickets in 59 tests at an average of 29.21, follows in the footsteps of compatriot Shaun Pollock, a former Warwickshire overseas signing.
“I spoke to Shaun about it and he told me it would be a great experience for me to come and play county cricket,” Ntini added. “I know that they are challenging for the (county) championship so that is an added incentive.”
Warwickshire lie second behind Kent in division one of the county championship, having won four times in eight matches.
South Africa, whose season ended against West Indies last month, resume with a home series against New Zealand in October.
