The Greatest Sledges In Cricket History
Athletes like to rib each other in most sports, but nothing like they do in cricket! It's called 'sledging', and it can be funny, fiery, and downright offensive!
We've put together a list of some of the funniest (and rudest) sledges in cricket of all time.
(Psst, cricketers also make the best after dinner speakers - they can tell a good story. See which cricketers you can book here)
Jamie Siddons & Steve Waugh
In a Sheffield Shield match, Steve Waugh was taking his time getting ready to face his first ball. Taking guard, scratching out his mark, looking at the field settings. Jamie Siddons, annoyed at the time he was taking, said: "For f***'s sake, mate, it's not a f***ing test match!" To which Waugh replied: "Of course it's not... You're here".
Mark Waugh and James Ormond
Aussie star Mark Waugh asked Englishman James Ormond, “What are you doing out here? There’s no way you’re good enough to play for England.”
To that, he replied - “Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my own family” (of course, in reference to Mark's brother, former Australian captain Steve Waugh).
Daryll Cullinan and Shane Warne
Aussie legend Shane Warne told Cullinan that he’d been waiting two years for another chance to humiliate him. To that Cullinan replied, “Looks like you spent it eating.”
Merv Hughes and Viv Richards
Aussie Merv Hughes didn’t just stop at verbal sledging. After West Indian legend Viv Richards hit Merv for four consecutive boundaries in one single over, Merv stopped halfway down the pitch, farted loudly, and told Richards “let’s see you hit that to the boundary.”
MERV BONUS: Another classic one-liner from Merv to England’s Robin Smith, “If you turn the bat over you’ll get the instructions mate.”
Adam Gilchrist and Mohammad Kaif
Adam Gilchrist is known for his honesty. He routinely walked if he'd knowingly edged one and been given not out.
So when Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif seemingly gloved one through to Gilchrist in 2004 and refused to walk, the Australian keeper couldn't hide his indignation.
But Gilly's 'sledge' was all class. After the next ball, Gilchrist responded in the most Australian way possible:
"The whole world is watching Champ."
Shane Warne, Darren Berry and Michael Slater
Michael Slater was playing in a state cricket game against fellow Australian teammate Shane Warne. Warne, not one to shy away from sledging a fellow teammate, decided to get under Slater’s skin by suggesting that his temper was like a time-bomb.
When it was Slater’s turn to bat, Warne and Berry started their sledging.
Warne: “Tick”
Berry: “Tock”
Warne: “Tick”
Berry: “Tock”
After a few overs, Slater got impatient and holed out to deep midwicket. As he was walking off, he glared at Warne and Berry, who said in unison “Kaboom!”
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Viv Richards and Greg Thomas
In a county match in England, Thomas was bowling to Richards and getting a few past the bat. After Richards played and missed another one, Thomas said: "It's red, it's round. Now f***ing hit it!" This obviously got Richards fired up, who then proceeded to hit the next ball out of the ground and said to Thomas, "You know what it looks like, now go and get it."
Ravi Shastri and Mike Whitney
During the Second Test in Melbourne 1991/92 vs India, Ravi Shastri was batting when the 12th man for Australia Mike Whitney was called on as a substitute fielder. Shastri attempted to pinch a quick single to Whitney at mid-off who yelled out, "If you leave your crease I will break your f***ing head."
Without flinching, Shastri replied, "Hey! If you could bat or bowl as well as you could talk, you wouldn't be f***ing twelfth man!"
Fred Trueman and Raman Subba Row
Fred Trueman was bowling and got an edge from the batsman which went between Row's legs, who was fielding at slip. At the end of the over, Row ran over to Trueman and says: "Sorry Fred, I should've kept my legs closed". Trueman: "So should your mother."
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