Bailey, Jayawardene quell argument

Cricket365
January 30, 2013

Captains George Bailey and Mahela Jayawardene have insisted that Monday's altercation between some of Australia and Sri Lanka's players at the end of the second Twenty20 International in Melbourne has been rectified.

Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell, who failed to accrue the four runs required off the last ball of the match to win the game and level the series, accused opposition bowler Thisara Perera and Jayawardene of wasting time.

A handful of fielders had gathered around Perera to offer advice, prompting Maxwell to order the Sri Lankans to hurry. Jayawardene then yelled at Maxwell, with the pair engaged in an argument fuelled by Perera's choice to taunt Maxwell too.

"People care about the game and care about the way they play. I know we get along very well with this side. Even just the chats there coming off, I think it's all just heat-of-the-moment stuff," said Bailey at the post-match press conference.

"But I think what you're seeing is individuals and teams that are pretty keen to win."

Jayawardene concurred: "To be honest it was just the heat of the moment. Things happen and you exchange a few words. They play it hard and we play it hard. After the game you are friends."

Maxwell, meanwhile, revealed on Twitter he had visited the Sri Lankan changeroom to apologise for his part in the incident. Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade and Bailey had also bickered with Jayawardene and Perera.

"I went into the Sri Lankan rooms after and they apologised for going over the top. All good. Just to clarify, I apologised to Mahela and SL players as well. I have a good friendship with Mahela, and it's going to stay that way," wrote Maxwell.

Sri Lanka won the two-match affair after a five-wicket win in Sydney and two-run triumph in Melbourne.