The Australian and Indian camps have traded barbs as tensions escalate in the build-up to the third Test in Perth.
Australia leads the four-match series 2-0 and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is confident the home side has found the secret to exploiting India's weaknesses.
Haddin claims Michael Clarke's men were determined to make India field for a long time during last week's second Test in Sydney because they knew cracks would emerge in the tourists' resolve.
"We know this side can be as fragile as any team in the world if things aren't going their way and they can turn on each other and the media turns on them pretty quick," Haddin told Sky Sports Radio Australia.
Haddin's comments were quickly mocked by India pace bowler Zaheer Khan.
"Brad Haddin, I think he should focus on his keeping. That looked really fragile to me," Zaheer said.
Zaheer suggested the Australian players loved taunting touring sides in the media.
"By the sound of it, it looks like Haddin is appointed for that in the Australian team," Zaheer said.
"He's doing all the talk. He's definitely playing his role."
Australian paceman Peter Siddle enjoys directing bumper barrages at India's batsmen and the sight of a green-tinged pitch at the WACA ground in Perth has not dimmed his enthusiasm.
But it was Siddle's turn to be on the receiving end of a barrage when he fronted Australia's media conference after Zaheer had returned fire at Haddin.
Siddle giggled when asked by an Indian reporter if Haddin was appointed within the team as this week's "big mouth" to upset the tourists.
"There's no appointment. These things come out," Siddle said.
"Zaheer says he (Haddin) has got to concentrate on his keeping. I wouldn't like to see how good a tip Zaheer could give him on his keeping.
"I don't think it's his place to say that either. It's just part of the game.
"Zaheer, he's going all right at the moment and he likes to say those things."
Siddle says he has no idea what motivated Haddin to label India fragile.
"I'm not too sure what's going on in his mind and he's probably not too sure what's going on in mine. I haven't spoken to him about it," Siddle said.
"The pressure that we've been building as bowling partnerships is what's been working for us.
"Whether that's intimidation or whether that's just good team bowling, that can be whatever you think. But that's what Bradley has been getting at."
Siddle says it is too early to say whether Australia will recall pace duo Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc and play four quicks at the expense of spinner Nathan Lyon on a pitch that is expected to offer plenty of bounce.
Harris, who has not played a Test for two months, has returned to full fitness despite having no first-class matches at domestic level in recent weeks because of the Big Bash League schedule.
He is set to replace the injured James Pattinson, with Starc battling Lyon for the fourth bowling spot.
"He (Harris) is a little bit smaller than Patto but (bowling) 145 kilometres per hour outswingers isn't a bad bloke to come in to replace him," Siddle said.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia First posted January 10, 2012 19:10:35
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