We re-live some of cricket’s best sledges in the wake of Tim Paine’s epic burn of Virat Kohli
As Aussie cricket fans revelled in the to-and-fro between Tim Paine and Virat Kohli, we thought we’d re-live some other classic on-field lines delivered on the cricket field. DID WE MISS ANY?
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Cricket is littered with tales of on-field verbals.
And when those exchanges weigh more on the side of good-natured banter — rather than crude, highly-personal attacks — they can add a whole other layer to the on-field battle as rivals try to gain a mental edge.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SOME FAMOUS CRICKET SLEDGES. DID WE MISS ANY? LEAVE THEM IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW
Tim Paine’s refusal to be intimidated by megastar Virat Kohli, and return serve with his own lip service these past days in Perth, had Aussie cricket fans smiling with joy in their loungerooms across the country.
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As Shane Warne wrote in the Herald Sun last year, sledging is about “subtlety, timing and picking your mark. You don’t need to be vicious.”
Things got interesting in Perth this week as the Aussies and Kohli enjoyed a spirited battle — and that wasn’t just between bat and ball.
It’s understood Kohli tried to bait Paine by boastfully referring to himself as “the best player in the world” and by contrast, mocking the Australian’s standing as a stand-in skipper.
When the time was right, Paine took his chance — but not with the man himself.
“I know he’s your captain,” Paine said to Kohli’s teammate, Murali Vijay.
“But you can’t seriously like him as a bloke.”
With that good-natured banter fresh in our minds, we’ve selected some gems from past years (and opted to leave some less-publishable outbursts out). Take a look below.
GREAT SLEDGES FROM YEARS GONE BY ...
Allan Border v Glenn McGrath
McGrath was just a young, thin quick still finding his way when former Aussie skipper Border laid eyes on the raw New South Welshman in a Sheffield Shield match at the Gabba.
Thinking he might be able to intimidate the future legend, Border seized his chance to get into his ear.
“Mate, what were you thinking buying pants which were so short ... did you think Brisbane was going to flood and you didn’t want to get them wet?”
Ian Healy and Steve Waugh v Graham Thorpe
A nicely-planned chip here from the Aussie men.
England batsman Thorpe had been making a habit of scoring not outs before keeper Ian Healy tried to get inside the left-hander’s head.
“He’s up to it again Tugga (Waugh). Thorpie wants another not out. He just loves the red ink.”
It wasn’t long before Thorpe went for it — and was walking back to the changerooms.
James Ormond (England) v Mark Waugh
Ormond wasn’t exactly a household name, so when he strode to the crease Mark Waugh, the twin brother of Steve, let him know.
Waugh: “Look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here? There’s no way you’re good enough to play for England.”
Ormond’s reply: “Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my family.”
Burn.
Merv Hughes v Javed Miandad
The Aussie quick was prone to getting pretty fired up when bowling to the world’s best.
One exchange led to Pakistan great Javed Miandad giving Merv some of his own medicine:
“Merv you are a big, fat bus conductor,” Miandad said.
Shortly after, Merv had the last laugh as Miandad’s innings ended at the hands of the Victorian.
“Tickets please!” Merv screamed.
Merv Hughes v Robin Smith
After Merv Smith couldn’t even draw an edge from English batsman Smith, he was growing frustrated.
“If you turn the bat over you’ll get the instructions mate”.
Steve Waugh to Herschelle Gibbs
This is one of the better-known baitings over the past 20 years, especially given how prophetic Steve Waugh’s offering turned out to be.
Australia needed to beat South Africa in their final Super Sixes match to keep their one-day World Cup hopes alive.
As Aussie wickets fell early, Waugh emerged as our main hope. But when he flicked a ball off his legs to Herschelle Gibbs at mid-wicket, Aussie hearts sank — but only for a moment.
The South African grasped the ball but in his rush to celebrate dropped the ball as he attempted to throw it up in the air. Waugh stood his ground as the ‘catch’ was not ruled out.
He then calmly looked in Gibbs’ direction and said: “You’ve just dropped the World Cup”.
Not only did Waugh go on to steer Australia into the World Cup semis — again against South Africa — but his team famously claimed cricket’s ultimate prize.
Shane Warne v Daryll Cullinan I
This was a famed rivalry. Well, not so much as a rivalry but a domination as Warne enjoyed a stranglehold on the South African top-order batsman.
Warnie knew he had Cullinan - not only on the pitch but above the shoulders.
After learning Cullinan had employed a sports psychiatrist in a bid to help him play the ball and not the man, the Aussie superstar pounced when the South African’s moment of truth at the crease arrived in a Boxing Day Test.
“Hourly sessions, Daryll? What colour was the couch?”
Needless to say, Cullinan again fell victim to his nemesis.
Shane Warne v Daryll Cullinan II
Knowing the mental hold he possessed over Cullinan, Warne was surprised to see the South African at the top of the order, opening the batting when the teams met a few years later.
“Don’t you dare get out. Don’t you dare go out, Daryll. I’ve been waiting for this for four years for another chance at you,” he said.
Cullinan went personal: “Looks like you spent it eating.”
Even Warnie paid that one.
Ian Healy v Arjuna Ranatunga
There was no love lost between Sri Lankan skipper Ranatunga and the Aussies.
Things peaked when, during a one-day final at the SCG, Ranatunga asked umpires for a runner.
Healy objected, and went straight to the source to let him know.
“You don’t get a runner for being an overweight, fat ****”.
Ranatunga had the last laugh two months later when his team claimed the World Cup on home soil.
Dennis Lillee v ... the world
The Australian spearhead was known for his aggression and general disdain for opposition batsman who were in his way.
“I can see why you are batting so badly, you’ve got some s--t on the end of your bat,” Lillee would say.
Cue the batsmen checking his bat.
Lillee would then respond.
“Wrong end, mate!”
— with Robert Craddock
Originally published as We re-live some of cricket’s best sledges in the wake of Tim Paine’s epic burn of Virat Kohli
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