The Sledgehammer: Top 5 Cricketing Sledges Of All Time

Cricket is fondly known as the gentleman’s game but it has seldom stopped the cricketers from taking a dig or two at their opponents or giving them a earful.  Termed in the game as ‘sledging’, it has been used by cricketers over the years to unnerve the opponents. So here are some few classic instances of sledging which have become a part of the cricketing folklore.

5. James Ormond v Mark Waugh – Ashes 2001 – The Oval

While Mark Waugh is far celebrated as a cricketer than Ormond but the former English fast-bowler truly came out on top when the former Australia batsman tried to unnerve him when he arrived at the crease. Standing in the slips, Waugh launched an scathing attack, saying: “What are you doing out here? You’re too shit to play for England!”

However, Ormond won the round by replying: “Maybe so, but at least I’m the best player in my family”.

4. Ravi Shastri v Mike Whitney- India’s tour of Australia 1991/92- Melbourne

During the second Test of that series, Australia’s fast-bowler Mike Whitney was on the field as a substitute and decided to prove his Australian blood when Ravi Shastri hit a ball towards the substitute fielder and contemplated stealing a single. Shastri’s intentions of taking a quick single prompted Whitney to yell:“Stay in your crease or I’ll break your fuc**ng head”.

Not the one to remain silent, the veteran allrounder shouted:“If you could bowl as well as you talk, you wouldn’t be the fuck**ng 12th man!”.

3. Glenn McGrath v Ramnaresh Sarwan- Australia’s tour of West Indies 2003

Another example that a sledge can really backfire. This happened during the fourth Test of the series when  Ramnaresh Sarwan was playing magnificently and was guiding his team to the highest successful fourth innings run chase in Test history. With the score at 236 for 4 in pursuit of 417, Australia’s apprehensions were certainly growing and McGrath tried the Australian ploy of unnerving the opponents. The fast-bowler told Sarwan: “What does Brian Lara’s dick taste like?”

In reply, the West Indies batsman said: “Why don’t you ask your wife?”.

With McGrath’s wife Jane very ill at the time, the Australian lost the plot and said: “If you ever mention my wife again, I’ll fucken rip your fucken throat out”.

2.  Ian Botham v Rod Marsh – Ashes 1982

When England’s allrounder Ian Botham arrived at the crease, Australian wicket-keeper Rod Marsh tried to get under his skin straightaway. The wicketkeeper said:“How’s your wife and my two kids?”

But instead of losing his cool, Botham gave a perfect reply to the Australian.

“The wife’s fine, the kids are retarded though,” Botham said.

1. Merv Hughes v Viv Richards – Australia’s tour of West Indies 1991

During the Jamaica Test of the five-match series, Merv Hughes made a habit of staring at Richards after each delivery. The Australian pacer never opened his month but could not resist a stare at the West Indian after every delivery.

Annoyed with the gesture, Richards said:“Don’t you be staring at me, man. This is my island, my culture. And in my culture we just bowl”.

And Merv Hughes being Merv Hughes retaliated by saying:“In my culture we just say fuck off”.