Matthew Hayden called India a third-world country, blaming Australia’s slow over-rate on the movement around sightscreens.

Hayden, who had a pretty average tour of India, where Australia were mauled by India in the Test series said the host batsmen were reluctant to face up qucikly enough.

"They (opposition batsmen) are very difficult to get to face up," Hayden was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

Hayden said sightscreen adjustments also played a part in delaying the proceedings as someone or the other kept moving around it.

"Often we find ourselves with hands on hips waiting for someone to either face up or someone in the sightboard to move away; all the little frustrations that happen in Third World countries and the heat as well," he added.

Australia were nine overs or 40minutes behind schedule on the penultimate day of the fourth and final Test, which forced their skipper Ricky Ponting to use part-time spinners instead of pacers at a crucial juncture.

Ponting, who could have been banned for a Test for the slow over-rate, came under severe criticism for his tactics. Hayden said over-rates have always been a problem for Australia.

"We've had trouble with our over rates for a long time now. It's not just us in international cricket that seems to struggle with it for whatever reason," Hayden said.

Hayden has never been known for good behaviour. He called Harbhajan Singh an 'obnoxious weed' Down Under earlier this year and challenged Ishant Sharma to the boxing ring for a bout. Both bowlers made life miserable for Hayden at home and he continued to fail in India.