Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist's belief that batsmen should walk when they know they are out has not created a rift between New Zealand and their hosts, Australia coach John Buchanan said on Tuesday.
"We're playing Test cricket out there," Buchanan told reporters on Tuesday before Friday's second and final test in Adelaide.
"There is a lot of emotion that goes into those games from both sides and I think that's important to actually see. So in terms of bad blood, I wouldn't suggest there is any.
Gilchrist and New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan were involved in a heated exchange during the first Test in Brisbane on Sunday, which Australia won by an innings and 156 runs.
Vice-captain Gilchrist claimed a catch off McMillan but the all rounder stood his ground and was given not out. The pair briefly argued before the umpires intervened.
New Zealand coach John Bracewell echoed Sunday's comments by Australia captain Ricky Ponting, telling reporters to move on to more important topics.
"Some people walk and some people don't so it's a non-issue," Bracewell said. "In fact I think it's just a line filler to be honest."
ETHICAL DEBATE
Gilchrist has been an advocate of batsmen walking and has been true to his word, returning to the pavilion on a number of occasions even when the umpire has given him the benefit of the doubt.
He has many admirers but few active supporters with the majority of batsmen preferring to leave the decision to the umpire. Some critics say Gilchrist is inadvertently putting pressure on opposing batsmen.
Before his altercation with McMillan, Gilchrist successfully claimed a catch off Brendon McCullum although replays showed the ball had deviated off the pitch and clearly missed the bat.
The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Tuesday quoted West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor as saying he should have given McMillan out, and asking for more technology to assist umpires.
"We should be allowed a little more use of technology as umpires in making whatever decisions," Bucknor said.
"Sometimes...it is hard to hear nicks. Stump microphones could maybe assist us more."
Australia batsman Darren Lehmann should play in front of his home crowd in Adelaide despite failing in the first test and dismissed rumours of his retirement on Tuesday, targeting a place on next year's Ashes tour of England.
"I heard that (rumour) but I'm definitely not retiring, he said. "I have never been on one and it's something every cricketer aspires to, so I'd love to be on an Ashes tour."
The left-hander has hit five hundreds in 24 matches after missing out on test selection throughout much of his first-class career because of the dominance of Steve and Mark Waugh. Lehmann now faces competition from the likes of Simon Katich.
"There are so many players waiting who are out of the side. Simon Katich is one, Brett Lee is not in the 11 at the moment. So each one of us has to play well each and every time and that is a good, healthy thing to have," he said.
