The Australian Test cricket side needs to address its petulant on-field behaviour before another series is tarnished.
Casting a shadow over what was for the most part an enthralling second Ashes Test was the deteriorating relations between the two sides.
At the heart of the matter has been reported sledging between opposing players stemming back to the first Test in Brisbane and loud noises emanating from the English camp that Australian players have crossed the line in this regard.
Even with the advances of stump mic, it would normally be fraught to point the finger at one side of such a tête-à-tête from the comfort of one’s armchair.
But the Australians have long ago lost any right to impartiality with such on-field antics having come to define the national team almost as much as the famed baggy green.
The antagonism was originally introduced by ‘Captain Grumpy’, Allan Border as a desperate – and ultimately successful – means of ending the dark days of Australian cricket.
It then morphed into Steve Waugh’s “mental disintegration” approach which boasted such willing attack dogs as Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne.
It’s safe to say subsequent captains, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke did not attempt a rebrand.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Along the way, Australia has been central to a number of ugly on-field spats and the subject of repeated claims of poor sportsmanship by opposition players centered around excessive sledging.
And while it takes two to tango, it’s hard to shrug the feeling that Australian sides have often brought the worst out of their opponents.
It came as little surprise then that former English gloveman, Matt Prior suggested this week that Australian sledging has been personal and that English players have been rightfully upset.
Needless to say it’s not a good look, particularly for the kids.
What’s more it’s very difficult to believe that excessive sledging is an essential accompaniment to winning Test cricket.
In the current Australian team’s case, this is a learned behaviour rather than an instinctive edge.
It’s often said aggression is rooted in fear. In this case, presumably fear of not winning.
Well it’s time for Australian cricket – which has been largely defiant in the face of such criticism to date – to confront its demons and start winning or losing the right way.
Don Freo
Guest
Nah...the Pommy journalists call seem to think sledging is when Aussies celebrate a good ball. Very fragile. The Poms, however, swear, abuse and mock. The Aussies just laugh and, apparently, that is not showing enough respect to the Poms' sledging. On the other point, you are 3 days off the pace.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
An official rebuke from ROC. My first time (sorry, I do tend to agree with you in most cases) I used "bullies" as Anderson had brought it up. Perhaps if I had just referred to "sledging" instead it might have made a small difference. Its funny how in most sports and general endeavours around the world, we Australians are held in very high regard. Except for our male cricketers. Maybe I'm just a bit embarrassed by that. Wish we could set the standard, instead of just mucking in with the rest of them. Just my humble opinion.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
So Don, your argument is that the Australian's aren't sledging?? Now that is a strange reading. Anyway, I guess we will all be into the Mitch Marsh selection debate soon enough, better sharpen up mate, Interesting times ahead.
JimmyB
Guest
What path is that Rasty?
JimmyB
Guest
Well Jake, it might be a bit of a stretch to suggest that Britain developed all of those things, I think you might be giving us a touch too much 'credit', fairly sure that the slave trade, concentration camps and genocide have been around as long history has been recorded but good for you, apparently you've hit me for six. Britain, as with most countries, have done plenty of good and bad throughout history, especially nations with an imperial past, just ask the Italians, Greeks, Turks, Mongolians, Chinese, Japanese, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portugese, Germans and so on. When looking back at history, it's encumbent on us to learn from the past and not make the same mistakes right? I know Australians generally disavow their part in history, they are but a small put upon nation after all, but I'm curious to know when Australia became Australia in the sense that YOU are responsible for you're own affairs and can't simply point the finger at Britain and go 'it's all their fault!' ? Genuine question btw. Was it after the Summer of Love in 1967, when Abiriginals became to be considered human beings after a referendum rather than flora and fauna as they were considered to be before that? What about now with the Manus Island concentration camps? Is that on Britain or you? Just curious. They do say that Australia is a bit behind the rest of the world, but boy, you guys sure catch up in the end don't you?!
Don Freo
Guest
Sophisticated? You only have to look at Bairstow's press conference to know otherwise. They headbutt and punch, while on field they just pull out either foul language or racist taunts. They are as subtle as the coal mining stock they come from.
republican
Guest
.......this is a stereotype of Aussie Cricket culture that is not exclusive to this nation, truth be told. I believe we wear our ugliness on our sleeve, so yes, we are often brash and bombastic. Conversely the Sassenanch and Kiwi are far more sophisticated in expressing or should I say concealing theirs. Mother Albion and their close and loyal progeny, the South Sea Pom, are unrivalled when it comes to sanctimony..........
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
The point is, the Aussies used it in onfield banter. None of them said anything to the media until the media started asking them about it and then it was generally laughed off as a silly distraction. I don't actually recall anything much from Handscomb between tests, there was so much coming from so many people that anything from Handscomb probably got lost in that.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Yeah, the fact that they made so much out of that was ridiculous. Surely the thing to do would have been to have a laugh themselves at the ridiculousness of the whole thing.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Yes, I think Jeffrey is right. I think all the Aussie team were pretty much baffled by why there was such a big deal made. It was all the media that was going on about it, not the players.
col in paradise
Guest
Christ the First test sledging was based on comments to the media and the Bairstow headtap...so yes banter around that would happen but think its been blown out of proportion by the media and that creates the tension and misinterpretation of on field banter over a incident....then the 2nd test lets be real the Poms had a tactic of going a bit on the offensive..hence sending us in and getting in out batsmen faces...the thing is it backfired as the Australians stood up both with the bot and not letting it get to them...but day 4 the combination of the Poms strategy and the actual test match being on knife edge did get to them..and Smith - but more around decision making and lost opportunities...then they had the overnight break - regathered and bowled them out....that's it....sick of the media blowing it up and then complaining about it...and you've fallen for it....
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
True that, everyone's got different taste. Some men like a bit of bush, others don't.
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
Sometimes you're the statue, and sometimes you're the pigeon. Aussies have been at the brunt of many personal sledges too, Andrew Symonds being called a monkey anyone? Didnt Craig Overton get banned for a couple first class matches after telling a player of Pakistani descent to "Go back to your own country,". Or was that Jake Ball?
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Spot on. Never seen Broad complain. If anything, he revels in it.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Jake with the devastating Chuck Liddell overhand...
dave
Guest
Sledging is involved in every contest since day one.You think chess players dont sledge?,The slightest raise of the eyebrow or taking a glass of water at the right time will be used to hopefully gain an advantage against your opponent. It doesn't always work but in this case the English have directed all the talk towards the Aussies while deflecting the talk about Root not being able to save his country or when is Cook going to retire. Well played England.
AndyFNQ
Guest
I don't care if Jimmy Anderson, England or any other team in the sledge or not, I still think Australia should.
AndyFNQ
Guest
Agreed
Adsa
Guest
Exactly Ryan and how good was it to watch, Anderson at the bowlers end fielding and having a bit to say and Smith expressing his thoughts as well, It's cricket.
Liam
Guest
Well played. Don't look now, JimmyB, Jake's just smashed you for six.