The second Ashes Test match wrapped up on Monday with Australia completing a 218-run victory and taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
However, the match was once again marred by scenes of sledging involving series standout Mitchell Johnson and a number of the dwindling English batting order.
The Australian bowler was involved in a number of incidents with England players, including a verbal altercation with England bowler Stuart Broad at the end of play on the fourth day.
These incidents followed the ugly altercation at the Gabba between Australian captain Michael Clarke and England bowler James Anderson, where Clarke was heard suggesting he might leave with a “broken f***ing arm.”
It’s scenes like these that have caused Sir Ian Chappell, the self proclaimed inventor of sledging, to question the use of sledging, claiming it could result in players ‘belting each other’.
In what Joseph Romanos has described as a classic case of the poacher turned gamekeeper, the ex-Australian captain is now encouraging players to stop sledging claiming it is tarnishing the game.
Cricket officials should heed Chappell’s warning and act quickly on removing this venom from the game.
Sledging – the verbal abuse of opponents to gain an advantage developed in the 1970’s when Ian Chappell and his over-competitive Australian side took to hurling insults and torment at opposing batsmen.
Since then it has been adopted around the world and is now widely accepted in all forms of cricket.
In all sports it is expected that players use their skill or power to beat out their opponents, however it is now accepted in cricket, a game that supposedly prides itself on its gentlemanly aspects, to do so by hurling abuse and indecent remarks.
And it’s not as though the evidence isn’t there to prove that this is an issue that needs to be nipped in the bud.
In 2003 an incident labelled as ‘toxic’ occurred between Australian bowler Glen McGrath and West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan.
McGrath, who was being pummelled by Sarwan, questioned Sarwan as to what Brian Lara’s d**k tasted like, to which the West Indian replied, “I don’t know, ask your wife.”
This, of course, resulted in a heated argument where McGrath aggressively threatened to rip Sarwan’s throat out.
And it seems that ripping one’s throat out is a common threat made between professional cricketers.
In 2007, Andrew Flintoff made the same threat against Yuvraj Singh in the T20 World Cup match between India and England.
Singh responded better than most batsmen, using his frustration to hit six sixes off Stuart Broad’s next over.
There is no doubt that these incidents have no place in cricket, or in any sport, and the fact that they are being brushed aside by cricket officials with limited repercussions is bringing the game into disrepute.
As of yet there hasn’t been a sledge that has boiled into a full on brawl.
But with the level of abuse that batsmen are putting up with these days, especially the type that refers to their personal lives, it can’t be long before these verbal remarks become physical.
Many a sports fan are partial to a bit of on-field banter, but resorting to it on an offensive level to gain an advantage is crossing the line and needs to be dealt with.
Why does a sport, so renowned for its gentlemanly qualities, tolerate something that would be worthy of arrest on any street corner?
Cricket officials need to get serious and step in now.
Umpires should be given the power to interfere and deal with sledging if it reaches a level that is affecting the match.
The system that currently deals with bowlers running on the pitch should be implemented.
Players should be given a verbal warning following their first offence and if they continue, umpires should be given the power to remove players for the remainder of the innings.
Sledging is beginning to take over from the spectacle that is international cricket.
The Ashes are, without doubt, the pinnacle of the game and, like all sporting events, should be remembered for displays of cricketing brilliance, not the idiotic and cowardly act that sledging has become.
AlanKC
Guest
hehehe, I bet you had a great time holding your finger a millimetre from your sisters nose crying "I'm not touching you, I'm not touching you ..."
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
Yea I agree with the captain thing. Umpires should warn the captains after a first indiscretion, but if it continues they should have the power to take matters into their own hands and remove players if it is necessary.
Scott
Guest
It's up to the captain to control his players. If the umpire thinks its getting out of hand he mentions it to the captain and it's up to the captain to ensure it remains within the moral bounds. I don't have a problem with it. Plus it's mighty entertaining when somebody talks a big game only to get cleaned out through the gate first ball.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
Agree with your final thoughts Scott. And you make some interesting initial points as well. It is a tough issue for umpires or officials to rule on. I still believe that some sort of ruling system needs to be put in place to allow umpires to have some power on the oval and keep the game flowing.
Scott
Guest
From a neutral perspective... There is always going to be chatter between the two sides on the field no matter the level. There are always going to be certain players that react differently to a sledge and in some instances it may be enough to force a brash shot or a loose delivery. What is acceptable to one player may not be to another. The international cricketer must have thick skin. They have experienced sledging right through the grades to club and first class level, they deal with the pressures of day to day life as an international athlete. Media pressure is just as tough if not tougher than a few words here and there. The current issue is not a new one and nor will it be the last occaision where sledging comes under the microscope. To me it is a case of the english struggling to handle to pressure of the current performances and looking externally for excuses. That being said I do think at times the Australians are coming across as poor winners and to the neutral supporter it is difficult to enjoy the performaces of the players that are being overshadowed by the arrogance of their actions. Get on with the cricket (sledging included) but leave the rubbish out on the oval.
Morgan Popham
Roar Pro
Hi AlanKC, I'm not English, don't like either team just calling it as I see it. And hey you were the one that said it, I only alluded to it.
Matt Sterne
Roar Rookie
Turns out this was written by a Kiwi. No further comment really... meh.
AlanKC
Guest
Oh dear, the two English trolls are writing articles about how awful Australians are and supporting each others comments again. Morgan, it shows the poor grasp the English have of the Australian character when you allude to our "convict" heritage and expect us to be mortally wounded by it. Next you'll be calling us skips.
Morgan Popham
Roar Pro
I guess it just goes back to the Aussies heritage. Why were they sent to Australia again?
rp
Guest
I am guessing u r a pom.Its sad that England are losing miserably.so its natural to be frustrated.the manner in which u r loosing ,its ridiculous.this article may hav helped u get over that frustration.and u could hav also mentioned about jimmy Anderson.i mean he is no angel
Jak
Guest
Here we go again. Usual pom hypocrisy and arrogance. The poms removed any semblance of "gentlemanly qualities" when they began deliberately trying injure Bradman and co. Funny (and typical) when the shoes on the other foot they wheel out "it's just not cricket chaps". If my memory serves correctly it was the poms who asked for Bodyline to be banned when the West Indies employed the tactics on the poor english. Back in yer box.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
"What to you think makes the news. Polite clapping and a gentle pat on the back. There is an old saying that bad news is better than no news." What should be making the news is the quality performances of the players, not their verbal remarks that aim to put the opposition off. I enjoy seeing a bit of banter as I've alluded to in the article, but my issue is when these remarks cross the line and end up interrupting the game. By referring to that old saying of bad news is better than good news are you suggesting that cricket has become so boring that it now requires players to sledge to make it entertaining. I certainly don't think it does and I think real cricket fans are entertained by the quality performances and the level of cricket in a match and not the immature and unnecessary rubbish that gets thrown around.
Gururobbo
Guest
“Why does a sport, so renowned for its gentlemanly qualities, tolerate something that would be worthy of arrest on any street corner?” Really?....What planet have you lived on in the last twenty years? Sleding is now such a part of the game as much as corruption, match fixing, and weak international administration that kotows to the BCCI The international game is now played by professional sportsman and not by amateurs. Players are now in it for the big bucks and the more games you win the better the pay. It is nothing short of being naive to suggest that it should revert back to the amateur days of playing like a gentleman. Most Gen Y want ot see rough and tumble, in your face, aggression. sadly, that is the way of the world as it is today and it has come too far to change. Also, be sure that the Adminstrators are happy to see front and back page news which eventuates from high levels of testostorone which rise quickly in the heat of battle. What to you think makes the news. Polite clapping and a gentle pat on the back. There is an old saying that bad news is better than no news. To keep the game relevant in today's society, I beleive that Cricket administrators want to see cricket news on the front and back page be it good or bad. Keeping a high profile for a game that now competes with the intenet, ipads and smart phones, facebook, twitter, etc. Cricket needs the sting and rush that aggressive, confrontational play out on the brings to the table just to keep Gen Y interested. If you doubt this, just look and see how popular UFC has become in such a short space of time. Being nice just doesn't buy it anymore.