The “speak English” controversy may not have been a good look for David Warner but ex-England captain Andrew Flintoff reckons sledging was much worse in his day.
International Cricket Council boss David Richardson has issued a warning in light of Warner’s latest on-field spat, saying the world body will come down hard on players who verbally abused their opponents at the upcoming World Cup.
Warner has come under fire for his flare-up with India’s Rohit Sharma during their ODI in Melbourne on Sunday, in which he repeatedly asked his rival to “speak English”.
However, allrounder Flintoff – fresh from his Big Bash League stint with Brisbane Heat – believed today’s on-field banter paled in insignificance to his baptism of fire.
“Twenty years ago, sledging was 10 times worse,” he told BBC Sport.
“Now, with stump microphones and cameras all over, everything gets picked up.
“One of the first Test matches I played against South Africa, there was one fella … he was the worst I have ever come across – Daryl Cullinan.
“He was horrible. I was only young… the words he called me, I didn’t even know what they meant.
“He just went at me and I don’t think there’s any place for that in any sport or any society.”
Flintoff – who is unsure about his playing future after an underwhelming BBL debut – said there was a place for backchat but hoped the likes of Warner knew where to draw the line.
“I don’t mind the odd chirp – Adam Gilchrist was fantastic at it because he’d do enough to put you off but not enough to upset you,” he said.
“Shane Warne was similar.
“It seems you can walk onto the field, say anything you want about somebody and then walk off and forget about it.
“You wouldn’t walk into somebody’s office and let rip at them for 10 minutes and then go for a cup of tea.
“As people you know the difference – you know right from wrong.”
Meanwhile, Flintoff was buzzing from chiming into England’s preparation for their stunning nine-wicket ODI win over India at the Gabba on Tuesday night.
“England are on the verge of doing something special in this form of the game,” he said.
“I feel sorry for them a little bit because there’s a lot of baggage they carry around in one-day cricket.
“It’s not their fault, it’s everybody who went before them.
“We need to realise we have never been any good at one-day cricket – even when I was playing.
“I played in three World Cups and didn’t get anywhere in any of them, but for the England team now it’s a chance to blaze a trail and form an identity.”
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I think you're being a little too literal there. He's describing it with the affectation of "Those words were so horrible, I was too young to know what they meant".
Vistro
Guest
In an Ashes match Botham arrived at the wicket to a bit of cheek from the Aussie keeper. Marsh : "So how's your wife and my kid's?". Botham: "Wife's fine. Kid's are retarded".
Vistro
Guest
Freddie how was it horrible. ?…if you didn’t even know what those words meant.
Trigger
Guest
What a toss
JMW
Guest
Hilarious to me!
Trigger
Guest
Equally unfunny
Trigger
Guest
Unfunny
Don Freo
Guest
Until he "bailed" out.
JMW
Guest
I think Boucher practiced an eye for an eye. On a serious note he was tough and competent and Aussies usually respect those qualities in an opponent. In anybody really.
Charl
Guest
Aww - I suppose that's why Warne went on Tinder, in search of Darryll - and he stopped overeating because he realised Cullinan didn't like fat bowlers :(
Sandy
Guest
You don't remember Boucher! Maybe he was more of a bully than a sledger though.
Sandy
Guest
I lost you at gonna Vish, there really is no need for that sort of language.
JMW
Guest
I think one of Warne's sledges to Cullinan was as simple as, "...where have you been, I missed you?" He absolutely owned him.
JMW
Guest
Exactly, in fact I think Kohli is worse, he not only invades a player's personal space he is constantly touching players and umpires. He should keep his hands to himself or risk being called a fondling pick pocket.
JMW
Guest
Vish, That's presupposing that language itself has not become more vulgar, which it in fact has. Have a look/listen to how relaxed television, film and music have become at allowing the "F" word to become prolific and in permitting the dreaded "C" word. It's myopic to suggest that only sporting sledges are vulgar when the general level of vulgarity in society has been lowered if not entirely diluted.
Don Freo
Guest
Craig...Freddie just told you that in Gilly's day it was 10 times worse. There is nothing of any consequence now and that is said by almost every cricketer who makes a comment on it...playing or retired. Don't commit intellectual suicide like Trigger and Vish...you're better than that.now.
JMW
Guest
LOL...blistering!
Don Freo
Guest
I think Vish thinks he knows more than someone who has been out there. Dim...or what?
Don Freo
Guest
Warney put him in his place with cricket...he didn't sledge. He just got him out for zero...every time. You have missed the point of the article totally, Trigger. That was 20 years ago. Freddie is saying it is not like that now. You don't read very well do you? That was not an Australian doing that. He praised the way Aussie's do it. Read stuff...or is typing without thinking some kind of prescribed therapy?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Didn't Flintoff just claim the reverse?