UNDER FIRE and under the influence, Brad Haddin has shot back at the critics, saying the Kiwis deserved the berating he gave them in the Cricket World Cup final. AUDIO: The Grill Team

Brad Haddin: New Zealand deserved to be sledged

BRAD Haddin has apologised for his controversial post-World Cup final interview with a Sydney radio station while under the influence.

Talking to Triple M’s The Grill Team on Monday morning, the Australian wicketkeeper was in fine form as he addressed questions over his controversial sending off of New Zealand batsmen Martin Guptill and Grant Elliott in Sunday’s one-sided decider.

“We were celebrating a World Cup win and enjoying ourselves after a long tournament,” Haddin told cricket.com.au.

“In hindsight, we should have stayed off the radio. If I offended anyone, it was never my intention.”

During the interview Haddin also “painted a picture” of exactly what the celebrations had been like.

Triple M initially spoke to a composed Steve Smith, who had also had a sleepless night.

“We’re still going, actually. The boys are having a good time. We’ve seen the sun come up in Melbourne. It’s been an amazing 24 hours,” Smith said.

The star batsman, who again performed with a fine 56 at a packed MCG, added that the players had even enjoyed a drink with the Kiwi players.

“They came in for a beer after the game. They’re a great bunch of guys,” he said.

Then Smith passed the phone to Haddin, who he described as the “drunkest man in the team”.

Asked about the controversial sledging incidents, Haddin was to the point.

“You know what? They deserved it,” Haddin said.

Haddin then went on to talk about how “nice” the Black Caps had treated the Aussies while they were in New Zealand earlier in the tournament. Initially, it came across as sarcasm — but it appears he was actually being sincere.

“They were that nice to us in New Zealand and we were that uncomfortable,” Haddin said.

“I said in the team meeting: ‘I can’t stand for this anymore, we’re going at them as hard as we can.’

“It was that uncomfortable. All they were was that nice to us for seven days.

“I said, ‘I’m not playing cricket like this. If we get another crack at these guys in the final I’m letting everything [out].’”

Still going with the Kings and going hard!! Love Australia xxx pic.twitter.com/M0ChhSonad — Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) March 29, 2015

Haddin then looked around the room and provided a detailed explanation of how the rest of the team was celebrating hours after the sun came up in Melbourne.

“I’ll paint a picture for you now. I’ve got a coach who’s spooning the World Cup who can’t speak,” Haddin said.

“I’ve got James Faulkner who’s got his clothes off but don’t tell everyone.

“And I’ve got the Marsh boys, and you know I can’t even talk about the Marsh boys because you know what trouble they have.

“I’ve got Josh Hazlewood ... he’s never been drunk in 30 years. It’s a problem. We just can’t get him drunk.

“He’s an absolute nightmare to drink with.”

Coach Darren Lehmann also got on the phone for a short moment, describing the beautiful weather in Melbourne.

“Boof” had been fairly active on social media as well, posting a number of pictures of the wild celebrations.

Wow what a win and I can't thank my team mates and my fiancé @CandyFalzon & IVY for all their support love you all!!! pic.twitter.com/Rj7CZeJaEa — David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 29, 2015