John Bracewell has apologised to Australian star Adam Gilchrist over comments he made yesterday on his absence from Thursday's deciding Chapell-Hadlee Trophy match in Hobart.
Gilchrist was released from the Australian squad to give him a game off ahead of their busy test programme against India and headedhome to Perth.
Bracewell, speaking before the New Zealand and Australian team shared a plane from Sydney to Hobart, suggested there were reasons other than rest for Gilchrist's omission. He wouldn't divulge what they were, saying "it's not up to me to reveal that".
"I know it's been called rested but it's not for me to reveal," he said.
Shortly before the teams boarded their flight Bracewell and the New Zealand management became aware that trouble was brewing.
The Australian camp, and Gilchrist, were unimpressed with the suggestion something mysterious might be behind the players absence from Hobart.
When the plane reached Hobart Bracewell immediately phoned Gilchrist to apologise, but his remarks yesterday will add an extra edge to the game which, with Australia 1-0 up, New Zealand must win to share the series and retain the trophy.
