Daniel Vettori hits out at over-aggressive Ponting

In a statement that has the potential to trigger a bitter row, New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has labelled his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting as the most "overtly aggressive" player in world cricket and who is always "spoiling for a fight".

Vettori says he was not surprised when the Australians got embroiled in the 'monkeygate' scandal against India as Ponting is always "spoiling for a fight" on the field.

"If a team was going to play the game hard and stand up to everything the Aussies hurled at them, there was going to be trouble," Vettori wrote in his new book, 'Turning Point', extracts of which came out in the 'Melbourne Herald Sun'.

"I don't think many of us were surprised about the so-called 'Monkeygate' affair. There are always a few individuals in every team who overstate their position or overplay their importance.

"Ponting led his team very aggressively and probably hasn't often had to face an opposition team that's been just as aggressive in response," he added.

Vettori said Ponting foul-mouths the opposition so often that it always ends up creating bad blood on the field.

"Add to the mix Matthew Hayden and Symonds - who are always at you on the field - and you've probably got the three most overtly aggressive players in world cricket.

"They like to get under the skin of their opponents, whereas the other guys in the Aussie team just get on with the game," he pointed out.