New Delhi: Cricket Australia held an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning to consider Hayden's controversial remark, sparking off speculation that Hayden would be fined for his remarks against Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.
The Australian opener had called Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed" in an interview on radio.
However, Hayden's off-the-field remarks have not yet figured in the "significant announcement". Instead, CA stated in Melbourne that Australian spinner Bradd Hogg had announced his retirement.
Meanwhile, CA Chief, James Sutherland called BCCI Secretary, Niranjan Shah on the Hayden issue and told Shah that they are looking into the matter.
According to reports, CA is under tremendous pressure to take some action against the errant players. The Board is also embarrassed by Australian players, who have been making comments against Indian players despite being warned against the same.
Meanwhile, Shah has told Team India not to react to Hayden's comments and has assured the Indian side that the BCCI will deal with the issue.
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On Sunday, BCCI stated that sledging was going "out of hand" and setting a bad example for young cricketers.
The Indian team management had also lodged a written complaint with the Match Referee about the provocative behaviour of the home team during their Sunday match and threatened to take a "befitting action" if Ricky Ponting and his men persisted with such behaviour.
However, the Indian team itself is quite relaxed, riding high on the wave of the win against Sri Lanka in Tuesday's match. The Indian players feel that they have nothing much to do with the controversy.
What Hayden Said
Brisbane Radio Jockey: Why are Indians calling Australian bullies?
Hayden: That's because they are losing every game they play
Brisbane Radio Jockey: Why don't they (Team India) just shut up and play cricket?
Hayden: That's the most logical thing I have heard this summer
Brisbane Radio Jockey: Were you calling Bhajji a mad boy?
Hayden: No a bad boy. He took offence. I don't know I thought it was funny. I said you should be flattered its a clothing line
Brisbane Radio Jockey: Why are they (Indians) so sensitive?
Hayden: It's been a bit of a long battle with Harbhajan. The first time I ever met him he was the same little obnoxious weed that he is now.
Brisbane Radio Jockey: That's what we've heard about him (Harbhajan).
Hayden: His records speaks for themselves in cricket. There is a certain line that you can kind of go to and then you know where you push it and he just pushes it all the time. That's why he has been charged more than anyone that's ever played in the history of cricket.
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Brisbane Radio Jockey: Is Ishant Sharma going to the same school (as Harbhajan)?
Hayden: he is just young. I have said to him many times. You are 19, take it easy. At the end of the day he is 19, why doesn't he just worry about his bowling for a while?
Sunday's Story
The rivalry between India and Australia was again sparked off after an incident during Sunday's game between the two sides, for which Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma was summoned by the match referee for having allegedly abused Andrew Symonds after taking his wicket in Sydney.
On Tuesday, when India was playing Sri Lanka, Hayden in an interview to Brisbane Radio said, "It's been a bit of a long battle with Harbhajan. The first time I ever met him he was the same obnoxious little weed that he is now."
"His record speaks for itself in cricket. There is a certain line that you can kind of go to and then you know where you push it and he just pushes it all the time. That's why he has been charged more than anyone that's ever played in the history of cricket," Hayden added.
The new twist to the already enraged war or words between the two sides has ensured a fiesty best-of-three final, the first of which will take the two sides back to the Sydney Cricket Ground, where it all began.
After the ill-fated Sydney Test subsided, the One-day tri-series began on a subdued note, before Australian captain Ricky Ponting was seen having a chat with Harbhajan after the latter's dismissal in India's defeat.
But things flared up during their last game, once again at the SCG, where Ishant Sharma and Andrew Symonds got into a war of words. Reports suggest that Matthew Hayden, too, re-ignited his animosity with Harbhajan, calling him a "mad boy".
The Australian batsman, though, made light of that, and added: "He took offence to that. I thought that was quite funny. I said mate you should be flattered, it's a clothing range."
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