Fights, feuds & feral fans: Aussie cricket’s 15 fiercest confrontations since 1970

Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli weren’t the first fierce rivals to clash in the heat of battle. We rank the 15 biggest confrontations we’ve seen in Australian cricket since 1970.

Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli weren’t the first fierce rivals to clash in the heat of battle. Brian Melkie, aka The Big O, counts down the 15 biggest confrontations we’ve seen in Australian cricket since 1970.

15. GRAHAM YALLOP v RODNEY HOGG

The personality clash between the captain and his fast bowler reached a nadir during the 1978-79 Ashes test series in Adelaide when Yallop stormed into the dressing sheds to confront Hogg, who in turn invited his captain to settle their differences out the back of the stands via fisticuffs.

Former Australian cricketers Rodney Hogg (left) and Graham Yallop finally make up after their 30 years of squabbling with each other. Here they go back to a scene where Hogg refused Yallop's orders to bowl when he was physically exhausted.

14. MICHAEL SLATER v RAHUL DRAVID

In the Mumbai Test in 2001, Slater dived to take which he thought was a special catch. Enraged by the third umpire’s decision to rule not out, the Aussie opener argued with the on-field umpire, before venting his anger onto Dravid for not walking. Replays confirmed it bounced.

An angry Michael Slater after the third umpire ruled that he did not take catch to dismiss Rahul Dravid (centre). Australia v India. First test. Mumbai, India. Bombay. Cricket.

13. DAVID WARNER v JOE ROOT

The hot-tempered Aussie punched Root in 2013, after he wore a green and gold coloured wig on his head before moving it to his chin. Warner thought the young Englishman was belittling South African Hashim Amla. The opener was fined and sacked from the Ashes tour.

Australia batsman David Warner fronts the media after he apologised to Joe Root for punching the England batsman in a Birmingham bar during the ongoing Champions Trophy in 2013. Picture: AFP

12. SAM KONSTAS v VIRAT KOHLI

This was the definition of a veteran player under the pump. What was Kohli thinking at the MCG? To firstly sledge the likeable debutant for no good reason and then deliberately change direction to bump into him was unforgivable, unless you are match referee Andy Pycroft, who punished Kohli with a feather duster. Kohli followed it up in Sydney by screaming in Konstas’ face after Usman Khawaja was dismissed.

Australian teenage debutant Sam Konstas and Indian legend Virat Kohli have clashed in wild scenes on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test. Picture FOX Sport

11. MICHAEL CLARKE v JAMES ANDERSON

After the English bowler had exchanged pleasantries with debutant George Bailey at the Gabba in 2013, the captain stepped in to defend his teammate, warning Anderson to get ready for a “f------ broken arm” with Mitchell Johnson on a rampage.

Michael Clarke stepped in to defend teammate George Bailey in 2013, giving James Anderson a stern warning.

10. RAY ILLINGWORTH v LOU ROWAN

Having not given one Australian batsmen out LBW during the entire 1970-71 series, it’s safe to say relations between the England captain and Australian umpires were on a knife’s edge. In the Sydney Test fast bowler John Snow felled tail-end batsmen Terry Jenner with a bouncer, which led to umpire Rowan warning Snow for intimidatory bowling. Illingworth remonstrated vehemently with Rowan, ultimately leading his team off the ground after a spectator manhandled Snow.

Test umpire Lou Rowan confronting England's cricketers including Ray Illingworth (R) and John Snow in 1971.

9. DAVID WARNER v QUINTON DE KOCK

This ugly confrontation occurred during the infamous Sandpaper gate series of 2018. This pair squared up on a staircase in Durban when the South African made a defamatory remark about Warner’s wife Candice, with the latter having to be restrained by teammates as the slanging match continued.

David Warner has had to be restrained by teammates after getting into an altercation with South African Quinton de Kock during the tea break on day four of the first Test in 2018.

8. ANDREW SYMONDS v HARBHAJAN SINGH

During the third day of the 2008 Sydney Test, the feisty Indian spinner was alleged to have called Andrew Symonds a monkey during an on-field exchange. The BCCI threatened to pull out of the tour if Singh’s three-match suspension wasn’t lifted. As expected it was, much to Symonds’ dismay.

‘Monkeygate’: Harbhajan Singh sledges Andrew Symonds at Sydney Test in 2008 sparking an international incident

7. TERRY ALDERMAN v SPECTATOR

When England hooligans invaded the ground during the Perth Test in 1982, the swing bowler made the major mistake of wanting to take matters into his own hands by chasing one of the fans who had whacked Alderman on the back of his head. His Ashes series was over as he sustained a broken shoulder.

Terry Alderman grimaces in agony on ground after he dislocated his shoulder when he chased pitch invader who slapped him during Australia v England test at WACA in Perth in 1982.

6. MICHAEL CLARKE v SIMON KATICH

After an Australian Test victory at the SCG in 2009, Clarke was keen to bypass the customary celebrations and team song as he had an engagement to attend. Clarke felt that Mike Hussey and Katich were going out of the way to hold him up. Words were exchanged before Katich marched across the dressing room and grabbed Clarke by the throat. The pair had to be separated.

Simon Katich, Michael Clarke all smiles at the SCG in Sydney.

5. SHANE WARNE v MARLON SAMUELS

In a Big Bash local derby match in 2013, the Melbourne Stars skipper and the overseas import clashed on the pitch after Warne was angered over Samuels pulling the shirt of David Hussey. Warnie, who was mic-ed up at the time, remonstrated with Samuels, and at one point hurled the ball at him, which prompted the West Indian to throw his bat at Warne.

Shane Warne (R) of the Melbourne Stars has a heated exchange with Marlon Samuels of the Melbourne Renegades in 2013. Picture: Getty Images

4. GLENN McGRATH v RAMNARESH SARWAN

During a Test match in the Caribbean in 2003, Sarwan was getting the better of the great bowler, who it must be said did instigate this ugly encounter. Sarwan retaliated by mentioning his wife, who at the time was battling cancer. Suffice to say McGrath lost the plot and it was on for young and old.

Glenn McGrath yells abuse at Ramnaresh Sarwan in response to something that was said by the West Indian batsman. Picture: Phil Hillyard

3. IAN CHAPPELL v IAN BOTHAM

Their first confrontation was in a Melbourne bar during the 1977 Centenary Test. Chappelli claimed Botham had threatened him with a broken beer bottle after a verbal altercation. Thirty-five years later, during the second Ashes Test match in Adelaide, they had to be prised apart in the car park after words were again exchanged. This is the longest and most famous feud in cricket history.

Ian Botham and Ian Chappell in the Channel 9 documentary The Longest Feud: Chappell v Botham. Picture: Supplied/Channel 9

2. STEVE WAUGH v CURTLY AMBROSE

With the West Indies trailing in the 1995 series 1-0, and the strike bowler struggling to take wickets, the frustrated Ambrose got up close and personal with the defiant Waugh, who told him in no uncertain terms to go back to his mark. Captain Richie Richardson had to restrain a livid Ambrose from what could have been a physical confrontation.

Richie Richardson tries to pull Curtly Ambrose away from Steve Waugh during an argument in 1995. Picture: Ray Titus

1. DENNIS LILLEE v JAVED MIANDAD

This was one of the most bizarre incidents ever seen on a cricket field. In a Test match at the WACA in 1981, Lillee deliberately blocked the path of Pakistan’s star batsman, who was attempting a run.

Dennis Lillee kicks Javed Miandad

Umpires had to intervene after Miandad threatened to hit Lillee with his bat.

He then inexplicably kicked Miandad, who in turn threatened to hit the fast bowler with his bat. Umpire Tony Crafter and Greg Chappell had to separate the pair as order was finally restored.

Originally published as Fights, feuds & feral fans: Aussie cricket’s 15 fiercest confrontations since 1970