More Sledges and Comments

Rival teams have exploited an Australian side scared to sledge for fear of a backlash from Cricket Australia and the public following the bitter Sydney Test against India in 2008, the players' union said.

Australian coach Tim Nielsen said the toning down of aggression followed the backlash but also a changing of the guard. ''When you are a young guy that has just come into the team you are not going to start sledging opposition players immediately. They have to build up a bit of confidence in their game and their place in the side.''

- News Report, Sydney Morning Herald 22.12.2010

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/marsh-reveals-australia-lost-their-way-after-coolit-order-20101221-194h8.html

Some More Sledging and Commentary Moments:

Caution:  Risque language...

Batsman Darryl Cullinan used to struggle against Shane Warne. The Australian had him on toast in one Test series in South Africa. Two years pass and, in the return series Down Under, Cullinan comes out to bat. Warne says: "I've waited two years for this." Cullinan replies: "Yeah, and it looks like you spent them eating."

Botham went out to bat in the 80's and Rod Marsh said to him "How’s your wife and my kids?" Botham responded "The wife's fine but the kids are retarded."

During a test match in the West Indies, Merv Hughes didn't say a word to Viv Richards but continued to stare at him after deliveries. Viv Richards: "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed Richards he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say ‘Fuck off.’ "

Mark Waugh standing at second slip; the new player, Adam Parore, came to the crease.  He swung at, and missed, the first ball. Mark Waugh: "Ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in Australia. You were shit then, you're fucking useless now.” Parore (turning around): "Yeah, that's me, and when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly slut and now I hear you've married her. You dumb cunt".

Hershcell Gibbs dropped Steve Waugh in the World Cup Semi final and Steve said "Congratulations, you just dropped the World Cup." Gibbs was in tears after dropping the catch. Australia went on to win the Cup.

In an England v Australia Test during the early 1960's, Freddy Trueman was fielding close to the gate from the pavilion. As a new batsman came out he turned to shut the gate. Trueman said "Don't bother son, you won't be out there long enough."

“Get stuck into this bloody Pommie, Gilbert. It was his bloody mob that took all the land from your bloody mob." - Encouragement to Aboriginal fast bowler Eddie Gilbert when Jardine came in to bat during the 1932 Queensland tour match.

"Oi, leave our flies alone, Jardine. They're the only flamin' friends you've got here." Yelled at Jardine as he tried to swat a particularly persistent fly away, 1932 tour.

During the 1991 Adelaide Test, Javed Miandad called Merv Hughes “a fat bus conductor.” A few balls latter Merv dismissed Javed: As he ran past the departing batsman, Hughes yelled out “Tickets please.”

James Ormond (England) had just come out to bat on an Ashes tour and was greeted by Mark Waugh, the brother of Steve Waugh, the Australian Captain:

Mark Waugh :

"Fuck me, look who it is! Mate, what are you doing out here? There's no way you're good enough to play for England"

James Ormond :

"Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my family."

Centenary Test in Melbourne 1977. A young David Hookes makes his way to the crease in his debut test. The English captain was South African born Tony Greig.

Greig :

"When are balls going to drop sonny"

Hookes :

"Don't know but at least I'm playing cricket for my own country"

During India's tour of Australia in 2001, the series was level at 1-1. It was the 5th and final test at Sydney and India was 4 wickets away from a historic series victory on Aussie soil. However, the Aussie captain, Steve Waugh, was proving a thorn in India's side. Playing in his last test match (as he had announced retirement), Waugh mounted a rear-guard action and was fighting for a draw. He was the only one who stood between India and victory. In an attempt to induce him to do something foolish, the 19 year old Indian wicket keeper, Parthiv Patel, chirped "Hey Steve, how about one of those famous slog sweeps of yours before you leave forever?". Waugh, 38 years old and a veteran of such tactics, replied "Sonny! You better show some respect! You were shitting in your nappies when I made my debut"

Once, during a tour of the West Indies, a young bowler was trying to get under Gavaskar's skin by sledging. Gavaskar, a senior player retorted "Son, don't waste time sledging at me. I have been sledged at more often than you have taken a piss".