MELBOURNE - Scott Styris has paid another back-handed compliment to the Australian cricketers, calling Ricky Ponting's players the best sledgers in the world.
Tipped to be drafted directly back into New Zealand's line-up for Sunday's one-dayer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Auckland all-rounder said his hosts werelong known for their attempts at "mental disintegration", and that he'd never expect anything different from them.
The debate was sparked by Styris' teammate Lou Vincent this week, who accused the Australians of being arrogant sledgers who rated themselves bigger than the game, and hunted opposition players like a "pack of dogs".
Rather than being offended by the comments, the Australian players welcomed them as a compliment, saying they reflected the depth of camaraderie and unity within their squad.
Styris said yesterday he had no problems with the Australians' practice, mainly because their modus operandi was well known around the world, and also because it seldom descended into outright abuse.
"It's all about mental disintegration, just as Steve Waugh used to say," he said. "It's designed to get into your head.
"They [Australia] are probably the best at it. Whether they're international players or not, there's a lot of guys running around the English county scene who are very confrontational and in your face.
"They just play their cricket hard and if you want to beat them, you have to play hard as well."
Styris, returning to the international scene after recovering from back and calf injuries, said he couldn't remember an Australian side that didn't try to unsettle opposition batsmen through gamesmanship.
Expected to play a key role in the tri-series and the upcoming World Cup, Styris was looking forward to contributing at the bowling crease as well as with the bat, but conceded his days with the ball were starting to look numbered.
"In the foreseeable future I'd like to keep playing as a full all-rounder," he said. "I always enjoy having two cracks at it.
"But I've had a few more injuries lately than I've had in the past ... somewhere down the line I might have to look at pulling back a little bit.
"But I'll certainly be wanting to play a full role at the World Cup and for a year or two afterwards."
