Best of Sledging in Cricket
Manoj Madhavan -
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:43 AM
The term Sledging in cricket is equivalent to trash talk in Basketball. Both these terms have the same intentions – to distract the opponent or to break his concentration. But the point is where do you draw the line? These banters have become part of the game. Even the greatest players sledge because at the end of the day, you play to win. Don't you? But yes, where do you draw the line? My take on it is that as long as it remains within the rules and as long as they are limited to harmless banters, sledging should not be looked up as the demon all of us make it to be.
Here are a few funny instances on the cricket field over the years. Remember, these examples are not first-hand information, or, as they say, straight from the horse's mouth. There is no way you can authenticate them. Still, these always make funny reading.
Merv Hughes and Vivian Richards
During a test match in the West Indies, Merv did’nt say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries.
“This is my island, my culture. Don’t you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl.
Merv did’nt reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: “In my culture we just say f**k off.
Ian Healy and Arjuna Ranatunga
Healy’s legendary comment which was picked up by the channel 9 microphones when Ranatunga called for a runner on a particular hot night during an ODI in Sydney.
Healy: “You don’t get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c**t!!!
Glen McGrath and Ramnaresh Sarwan
McGrath: “So what does brian Lara’s d**k tast like?
Sarwan: I don’t know. Ask your wife.
McGrath (losing it): “If you ever effing mention my wife again, I’ll rip your effing throat out.
Javed Miandad and Dilip Doshi
Miandad at the crease, Doshi bowling.
Miandad: “Arre Doshi apna room number to bataa” (Nothing from Doshi)
Next ball, Miandad asks again “Arre Doshi apna room number to bataa”. Still nothing.
When the over ends.
Miandad: “Arre ab to over khatam ho gaya, ab to bataa de” Doshi: (finally relents). Room number “216”Miandad: “Agle over mein ball wahi maroonga”
(Player’s hotel was quite near the stadium.)
Steve Waugh and Parthiv Patel
Waugh in his last test comes to bat.Patel: So this is your last test… show us some of that famous sledging of yours.”
Waugh: “Respect me… For when I made my test debut you were still in your nappies.”
Greg Thomas and Vivian Richards
Thomas was bowling to Viv in a county game. Viv missed a superb out swinger, Thomas: “It’s red, round and weighs about 5 ½ ounces.” Next ball Viv hits Thomas out of the ground for a 6 and replies.
Viv: “Greg, you know what it looks like. Go ahead and find it!”
Daryl Cullinan and Shane Warne
As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting for 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. “Looks like you spent it eating”.
Fred Truman and Raman Subba Row
Truman bowling. The batsman edges and the ball goes to first slip, and right between Subba Row’s legs. Fred doesn’t say a word. At the end of the over, Subba Row ambles past Trueman and apologies sheepishly. Subba Row: “I should’ve kept my legs together, Fred”. The reply is classic Truman,
Truman: “Not you, son. Your mother should’ve!”
Merv Hughes and Javed Miandad
Merv Hughes and Javed Miandad in the 1991 Adelaide Test against Pakistan. Hughes was less than impressed when Javed called him a “fat bus conductor” as the pair squared up to one another. A few balls later, Hughes got his man and as Javed walked past, Hughes could not resist shouting “Tickets, please!”
Hansie Cornje and Merv Hughes
During a test match in South Africa, Cronje kept hitting Hughes for sixes all over the park. Nearly every ball Hughes bowled to Cronje went to the boundary. Sick and tired of bowling on the flat pitch and the treatment he was getting from Cronje, Hughes walked up to Cronje, turned around and farted saying “try hitting this for a six.”
Glen McGrath and Edo Brandes
McGrath was bowling to the Zimbabwe number 11 batsman Edo Brandes. Brandes was unable to get his bat anywhere near the ball. McGrath, frustrated that Brandes was still at the crease, wandered up during one particular over and inquired: McGrath: “Why are you so fat?” quick as a flash, Brandes replied:
Brandes: “Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit.”
Mark Waugh and Adam Parore
Mark Waugh standing at second slip, the new player to the crease playing and missing the first ball.
Waugh: ‘ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in Australia. You were s**t then, you’re useless now”.
Parore – “Yeah that’s me & when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly s**t & now you’ve married her. You dumb.”