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The Cup Match taunting and more recently the racial slurs allegedly aimed at Bermuda’s players during their clash with Namibia, have brought the term ‘sledging’ into common talk.

But what is sledging? And is it ever justified in a gentleman’s game?

While the events of Cup Match and in Africa last week may have taken the verbal sparring over the line, it has long been thought that a bit of back-chat or sledging is an acceptable tactic for unsettling opponents.

It’s certainly something Bermuda will have to get used to, when they play in the World Cup — particularly if they come up against the Australians.

Here’s a look at some of the most famous sledging quotes from some of the biggest names in the game.

1. Aussie fast bowler Rod Marsh and England all-rounder Ian Botham: When Botham took guard in an Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the words: “So how’s your wife and my kids?”

2. South African batsman (and former Bermuda coach) Daryll Cullinan and Aussie leg-spinner Shane Warne : As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting two years for another chance to humiliate him. “Looks like you spent it eating,” Cullinan retorted.

3. Glenn McGrath (bowling to portly Zimbabwean chicken farmer Eddo Brandes: “Hey Eddo, why are you so F**ing fat?” Eddo Brandes: “Because everytime I screw your wife, she throws me a biscuit.”

4. Robin Smith and Merv Hughes: During 1989 Lords Test Hughes said to Smith after he played and missed: “You can’t f***ing bat”. Smith to Hughes after he smacked him to the boundary: “Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can’t f***ing bat and you can’t f***ing bowl.”

5. Aussie pace-man Merv Hughes and Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad: During 1991 Adelaide Test, Javed called Merv a fat bus conductor. A few balls later Merv dismissed Javed. “Tickets please”, Merv called out as he ran past the departing batsman.

6. Merv Hughes and Viv Richards: During a test match in the West Indies, Hughes didn’t say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. “This is my island, my culture. Don’t you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl.”

Merv didn’t reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: “In my culture we just say f*** off.”

7. Ian Healy and Arjuna Ranatunga: The Aussie wicket-keeper commented to the Sri Lankan batsman, when he called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney.

“You don’t get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat pig.”

8. James Ormond had just come out to bat on an Ashes tour and was greeted by Mark Waugh.

Waugh: “Look who it is. Mate. What are you doing out here, there’s no way you’re good enough to play for England.

JO: “Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my family” (a reference to the other Waugh in the Australian team).

9. Yet another Australian witticism with porky Sri Lankan batsman Ranatunga the victim again. Shane Warne, trying to tempt the batsman out of his crease mused what it took to get the plump character to drive. Wicketkeeper Ian Healy piped up, “Put a Mars Bar on a good length. That should do it.”

10, England fast bowler Devon Malcolm and Viv Richards. Devon (after beating Viv several times in one over): “It's round and it’s red, now try playing it!”

Viv (having responded by hitting the ball out of the ground): "You know what it looks like, so you go and find it!”[[In-content Ad]]

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