Melbourne, Australia: February 29, 2008 – IR Summary - Australian opener Matthew Hayden has admitted his mistake that he was "insensitive" in making the 'obnoxious little weed' remark against Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

However he said that it was not against the spirit of cricket and as such warranted only a reprimand.

"I can see that my comments were insensitive but they were not intended to be denigrating and especially not contrary to the spirit of cricket," Hayden said.

"The cricket environment I have grown up with is probably a little bit different from today," the 37-year-old cricketer was quoted as saying by the 'Daily Telegraph'.

Hayden expressed anguish at being reprimanded by Cricket Australia for his behaviour.

"It saddens me that my employer has to discipline me for my behaviour," Hayden said.

Hayden, in an interview to 'Brisbane Radio', had called Harbhajan "obnoxious little weed" and also invited young paceman Ishant Sharma "into a ring" for a boxing bout.

The world at large does not appreciate Hayden for justifying his own punishment. Since he had violated the norms of cricket, he should have been properly punished.