BRISBANE, Nov 22: New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan accused Australia's Adam Gilchrist of being "righteous" during their much-publicised row after Australia's first-Test win, it emerged on Monday.
Television reports also broadcast audio footage of McMillan lambasting the wicket-keeper when he called for him to "walk", or give himself out, following a caught-behind appeal during New Zealand's second-innings capitulation.
"Not everyone is (expletive) walking Gilly. Not everyone has to walk mate," he was heard to say through the stump microphones. McMillan was out the following delivery, leg before wicket for nine to Jason Gillespie, as New Zealand slumped to 76 all out on the fourth day to lose by an innings and 156 runs.
Gilchrist, who is also Australia's vice captain, has repeatedly called for batsmen to give themselves out before waiting for the umpire's decision and has frequently done so himself, including in the recent Bombay Test against India.
After Australia mopped up an innings and 156-run victory, Gilchrist and McMillan further discussed the incident on the field in full view of fans and television cameras. "I just thought you were being a little bit righteous," McMillan told Gilchrist in the second exchange. The Australian vice-captain told the Black Caps batsman he had no complaint with his standing his ground.
"But if you nick it you (have to) expect to cop it," Gilchrist said. Gilchrist has received mixed reaction here over his conscientious attitude and was accused by New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming of a "crusade" on the matter which put pressure on opponents to follow his lead.
Australian fast bowler Gillespie on Monday defended Gilchrist, saying any player would have made the same remarks to a batsman who has edged a catch but stood their ground.
"He doesn't instil his beliefs on his team-mates or the opposition," Gillespie told reporters. "There wasn't anything (said to McMillan) to do with 'you should walk'. Selectors on Monday predictably named an unchanged 12-man squad for the second Test, starting in Adelaide on Friday.
SQUAD: Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee. -AFP