Glenn McGrath and Brad Hodge today joined the chorus in slamming Sunil Gavaskar for linking Australian behaviour with the death of David Hookes,
saying the Indian great's remarks could "damage his relationship" with
Australian cricket."It is very disrespectful. Sunny was an amazing cricketer,
but I think this time he's gone beyond," McGrath said.
Gavaskar recently described the Australians as "unpopular winners"
because of their "aweful" on-field behaviour.
After skipper Ricky Ponting shot back and defended his team
over the comments, Gavaskar stuck to his guns and cited the death of former
Test batsman Hookes outside a Melbourne bar to illustrate his point.
McGrath said, "Fair enough, if that's what he thinks,
he's allowed to comment on the team. But I think when you start bringing David Hookes into it that's crossing the line.
McGrath, known for his use of abusive language on the field
to unsettle batsmen and for being engaged in an ugly verbal duel with Ramnaresh
Sarwan in Antigua in 2003, said that Gavaskar's outburst could damage his relationship
with Australian cricket.
"I think potentially it could be, we'll wait and see.
The comments in themselves are very disappointing when he's mentioning David
Hookes and you really feel for Hookesy's family," McGrath was quoted as
saying in the media.
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