The man Kiwi cricket fans love to hate looks set to retire from one-day international game.
Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin riled more than a few New Zealanders during the Cricket World Cup final on Sunday with the incessant verbal sprays he directed at the Black Caps.
Haddin stoked the flames even further yesterday when, in an interview on a Sydney radio station, he suggested the Black Caps deserved to be sledged because they had been too "nice" during the the teams' earlier World Cup clash at Eden Park.
But it looks as though the Black Caps will be denied a chance to get some payback against Haddin, at least in coloured clothing.
Haddin has hinted the World Cup would be his ODI swansong, although there has been no explicit confirmation of that.
Haddin, who has a reputation as a notoriously fierce competitor on the field, said he had been rattled by the Black Caps' 'no-sledging' policy during New Zealand's pool-play win over Australia at Eden Park.
Haddin made the comment during an interview on Triple M yesterday morning, following a long night of celebrations by the Australian team.
Asked about the send-offs he gave to Grant Elliott and others, the wicketkeeper said the Black Caps had deserved the rough treatment for being so nice during Australia's stay in New Zealand.
"It was that uncomfortable, all they were was that nice with us for seven days," he said.
"I said 'I'm not playing cricket like this'. If we get another crack at these guys in the final, I'm letting everything [out]."
For more coverage of the Cricket World Cup from nzherald.co.nz and NZME check out #CricketFever.