- Shamser Khalid
The Most Memorable Insults in Cricket History
In sports, athletes exchanging words where they challenge each other before and even during a match is nothing new. Sometimes there are press conferences where athletes call out their opponents. Some share insults before a game. While sharing insults doesn't happen all the time in sports, one form of insulting happens in cricket. That form is called sledging.
What is sledging? Sledging is when cricket players use insults, mocking comments, or threats to try and distract or intimidate their opponents. It's not officially allowed in cricket, but it's common in high-pressure matches. Some people argue that sledging is a legitimate part of the game, while others see it as unsportsmanlike and against the spirit of cricket.
While there are debates about sledging in the sport, there are more than a few memorable and iconic sledging moments in cricket. Here are some of them:
Vivian Richards VS Greg Thomas
When it comes to insulting a player about getting the ball, the exchange between Vivian Richards and Greg Thomas is one to know. Vivian Richards is a retired cricketer who represented the West Indies cricket team between 1974 and 1991.
When he was still a player, he was regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Meanwhile, Greg Thomas is a Welsh former cricketer who played in five Test matches and three One Day Internationals for England between 1986 and 1987.
In a County Championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset, bowler Greg Thomas taunted Sir Viv Richards with verbal taunts, saying "It's red, round, and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering" after unsettling Richards with successive deliveries. However, Richards responded with a six and a witty comeback, telling Thomas, "Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."
Shane Warne, Darren Berry, and Michael Slater
Sledging can not only happen between two people but even three or more. The exchange between Shane Warne, Darren Berry, and Michael Slater is a prime example of this.
Shane Warne played cricket for Australia from 1991 to 2007 as a right-arm leg spin bowler and right-handed batsman. Darren Berry, on the other hand, is an Australian cricket coach and former cricketer known for his wicketkeeping skills for South Australia and Victoria in domestic competitions.
As for Michael Slater, he is an Australian former professional cricketer and TV presenter who played in 74 Test matches and 42 One Day Internationals for the Australian national cricket team.
During a state cricket game between Michael Slater and Shane Warne, Warne decided to use sledging 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 his teammate, Berry, continued their sledging with a game of "Tick Tock." After a few overs, Slater became impatient and was caught out. As he walked off the field, he glared at Warne and Berry, who said in unison, "Kaboom!"
Adam Gilchrist VS Mohammad Kaif
Players being frustrated on the field is not something rare. One memorable moment where insults were exchanged between players from a moment of frustration was between Adam Gilchrist and Mohammad Kaif.
Adam is an Australian cricket commentator and former international cricketer, and captain of the Australia national cricket team. He changed the wicket-keeper role for Australia by being an attacking left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif is an ex-Indian cricketer who played both Tests and ODIs. He became part of the national team due to his great performances at the Under-19 level. He even captained the India national under-19 cricket team to win the Under-19 World Cup in 2000.
In the fourth Test of Australia's 2004 tour of India, wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist was convinced that Mohammad Kaif had gloved one behind, but the umpire ruled "not out." Despite being a legendary walker himself, Gilchrist couldn't contain his indignation and expressed his thoughts to the Indian batsman. After the next ball, Gilchrist, always a class act, told Kaif in an extremely Australian way, "The whole world is watching Champ," emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Robin Smith VS Merv Hughes
Many players have teased one another when it comes to each other's skills on the field. One memorable moment where two players exchanged insults about skills was the sledging between Robin Smith and Merv Hughes.
Robin Arnold Smith is a retired English cricketer who was nicknamed Judge or Judgie due to his long hair which made him look like a judge. As for Merv Hughes, he is an Australian retired cricketer. He played as a right-arm fast bowler and represented Australia in 53 Test matches and 33 One Day Internationals.
Robin Smith and Merv Hughes had an intense rivalry during their playing careers. During one match, Hughes tried to get into Smith's head by telling him, "You can't f***ing bat," after he played and missed one of his deliveries. However, Smith responded by hitting the next ball for a four and quipped, "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't f***ing bat and you can't f***ing bowl."
Andrew Flintoff VS Tino Best
Not all sledging is always on the insulting side. Other times, it can be a cheeky exchange between players. One example of a funny sledging between players is between Andrew Flintoff and Tino Best.
Andrew Flintoff, also known as Freddie Flintoff, is a former English cricketer who played all formats of the game. He was also a television and radio presenter. As a cricketer, he was known as one of the sport's leading all-rounders and played as a fast bowler, middle-order batsman, and slip fielder. He was even awarded the MBE title for his services to cricket.
Tino la Bertram Best is a cricketer from the West Indies who plays for Barbados in domestic cricket. He best played his first Test match in May 2003 and made his debut in One Day International a year later.
Freddie Flintoff was known for sledging and on-field communication. In a Test Match against the West Indies at Lord's in 2004, he issued a tongue-in-cheek warning to Tino Best about the dangers of big-hitting at an old ground, saying "Mind those windows, Tino." The very next ball, Best missed a wild swing and was stumped.
