WORD POWER .. MADE - AUSSIE

Australians were the pioneers in making use of WORD POWER on the field, popularly known as "SLEDGING".

Definition of SLEDGING

Sledging is a term used in cricket when a player employs words or phrases targeted at an opponent with the intention of destabilising or provocating the latter into making a mistake. Sledging per se, is a Breaking the Flow technique of Gamesmanship. It is usually a one sided "comment", often insulting and meant to "psyche out" the targeted opponent. The practice applies almost entirely to cricket due to the way the game is played, with the isolated batsman being the target of the opposing bowler and fielders, in most cases, since a single mistake can be fatal to batsman's innings.

When nothing worked well for the AUSSIES on the field they used word power to bail them out of trouble.

Some of the classic confrontations:

Ricky Ponting & Shaun Pollock

After going past the outside edge with a couple of deliveries, Pollock told Ponting: "It's red, round & weighs about 5 ounces." Unfortunately for Pollock, the next ball was hammered out of the ground..

Ponting to Pollock: "you know what it looks like, now go find it."

Glenn McGrath v Eddo Brandes

McGrath was bowling to the Zimbabwe number 11 - who was unable to get his bat anywhere near the ball.
McGrath, frustrated that Brandes was still at the crease, wandered up during one particular over and inquired: "Why are you so fat?"
Quick as a flash, Brandes replied: "Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit."
Even the Aussie slip fielders were in hysterics.


Ian Healy's legendary comment

Picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga 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 c**t!!!"

Merv Hughes v Robin Smith

Smith played and missed while facing Hughes in the 1989 Lord's Test between England and Australia.
Hughes, never short of a word or two, told the Hampshire star: "You can't f***ing bat, mate."
Smith then smashed the next ball to the boundary and replied: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair.
"I can't f***ing bat and you can't f***ing bowl."

Rod Marsh & Ian Botham

When Botham took guard in an Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: "So how's your wife & my kids?"


Merv Hughes v Javed Miandad

The big fella popped up again with another classic, this time in the 1991 Adelaide Test against Pakistan.
Hughes was less than impressed when Javed called him a "fat bus conductor" as the pair squared up to one another.
A few balls later, Hughes got his man and as Javed walked past, could not resist shouting "Tickets, please!"


Daryll Cullinan & Shane Warne

As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. "Looks like you spent it eating," Cullinan retorted.

The cricketing world is divided on whether the practice amounts to poor sportsmanship or it is just good humoured banter.