The abusive, deliberately personal and vicious sledging used for over 40 years by Australia’s national cricket team was always going to end in tears.
The only way to avoid the tears in the future for the baggy green caps is to prohibit any sledging, as most other sports have done. If the ICC won’t do this, Cricket Australia should take the initiative.
The reason why banning sledging is needed is that there is a direct connection between the Australian tradition of abusive sledging and the cheating that was exposed in Cape Town.
Without this history of unacceptable sledging there would not have been the unacceptable cheating and the consequent fallout with hardened cricket warriors blubbering like babies in front of a media baying for their blood.
Abuse sledging morphs into cheating because the abuse creates a poisonous environment which normalises unacceptable behaviour like ball tampering that would be unthinkable in a proper Test context.
The best account of how all this ties in together has been written by George Orwell in a famous essay written in 1945 called ‘The Sporting Spirit.’
The occasion of the essay was the visit to Britain of Dynamo football team, Moscow’s equivalent of Arsenal. The point of the visit was to somehow use sport as a goodwill gesture.
But, as Orwell noted, the visit was a total failure: “If such a visit as this had any effect at all on Anglo-Soviet relations, it could only be to make them slightly worse than before.”
(AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)
Orwell developed his argument this way in a famous piece of writing: “At the international level sport is frankly mimic warfare … Even a leisurely game like cricket, demanding grace rather than strength, can cause much ill-will, as we saw in the controversy over body-line bowling and over the rough tactics of the Australian team that visited England in 1921 … Even when the spectators don’t intervene physically they try to influence the game by cheering their own side and ‘rattling’ opposing players with boos and insults.
“Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up in hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard for all the rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it is war minus the shooting.”
In Orwell’s time this “war without shooting” was mainly conducted, as he notes, by spectators rather than the players.
Australia, for instance, had the famous Yabba, Stephen Harold Gascoigne, who has been immortalised with a bronze statue at the SCG at the spot near the fence where he famously let loose tirades against opposition players.
When Douglas Jardine, England’s captain in the Bodyline series, tried to brush away flies from his face, Yabba, ‘the world’s greatest barracker,’ yelled out: “Jardine, leave our flies alone. They’re the only friends you’ve got here”.
In general the sledging on and off the field during this era was more banter than anything nasty. It was designed to make a point and produce guffaws of laughter.
The change from banter to personal invective, to the abusive sledging as we know it today, came from two great Australian captains, Ian Chappell and Stephen Waugh, unfortunately.
I say unfortunately because it I admire both men as cricketers and for the good work they have performed in their life after cricket. But the blind spot for both men as cricket captains is their ‘anything it takes’ approach to winning cricket Tests.
(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
We get an insight into Ian Chappell’s use of sledging from Greg Turner’s account of how he was abused by the Australian captain when New Zealand recorded its first victory over the baggy green caps in 1974.
During a match-winning partnership with Brian Hastings, Turner had words with Chappell challenging the way the Australian captain was abusing the umpire.
Chappell, according to Turner, then turned on him: “Then he set about me as well. The language continued, and I just walked away. When I got down to the other end in the next over, he had another crack at me.
“Normally if you play and miss, you would expected a few choice words, but when it is one sentence after another abusive sentence, it is taking it too far. He made reference to the fact that he would sort me out afterwards.
“I don’t believe you go to the office to be abused … The series took an unsavoury and regrettable turn then …”
This “unsavoury” sledging became normal practice for the baggy green caps from this time on.
Stephen Waugh then weaponised the sledging even further by giving it the mission of “mental disintegration” of opponents.
To my mind, “mental disintegration” is another word for an outcome expected from torture.
So the “unsavoury” sledging developed by Ian Chappell morphed into sledging as a form of torture.
Here is Graeme Smith’s account of how the “mental disintegration” torture was applied to him as a newcomer to Test cricket by Waugh’s enforcers according to Osman Samiuddin: “He said Australian Test opener Matthew Hayden … followed him to the crease in the second innings and ‘stood on the crease for about two minutes telling me that I wasn’t ‘f—–g good enough … How the f–k are you going to handle Shane Warne … What the f— are you going to do?’ …
“Smith also clashed with Brett Lee after they collided on the pitch, which led to a pack of Australians allegedly hounding the young Protea … ‘As he walked past me he told me that he would f—–g kill me right there if I ever touched him again.’”
Trevor Marshallsea in an article headed ‘Bucket tipped on Aussie sledgers‘ (29 May 2002) made the point that at the time Graeme Smith found the sledging so repulsive that he was reluctant to repeat what was said to him by the Australians.
But when Australian Cricket Board chief executive James Sutherland was informed about Smith’s experience of the “mental disintegration” method he merely made the point, according to Marshallsea, that “the board does not condone sledging or verbal abuse … If Australian players are breaking the code of conduct, I’m sure the officials at the match would take appropriate action.”
That was in 2002.
Sixteen years later Sutherland’s passivity regarding the abusive sledging by Australian cricket teams has cost the baggy green brand probably hundreds of millions of dollars and a tarnished reputation that will take a decade or so to obliterate.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
If only someone in the Australian cricket hierarchy in the past couple of decades had had the guts to call out the Chappell-Waugh sledging for what it is, totally unacceptable behaviour that has no place on the field or off it for that matter.
Richie Benaud, arguably Australia’s greatest Test captain, was hard and fair in every aspect of his play and captaincy. He would not tolerate anything that diminished the true spirit of cricket.
Benaud, for instance, described the underarm incident as “disgraceful … one of the worst things I have ever seen done on a cricket field.”
In this spirit, I reckon that the baggy green caps adopt a new mantra to avoid any more ballsupgate incidents. When some tactic is put forward to upset an opposition player, they should ask themselves this question: “What would Richie say to this?”.
JohnB
Guest
Actually an Australian opening bowler, and a Zimbabwean medium pacer batting at the time. Pots, kettles, knives, blocks ...
Dave.SA
Guest
Thanks Spiro for a great article. You were in the dog box for a long time after you claimed (incorrectly) that Bismarck's tackle on Dan Carter was offside. Forgiveness comes eventually... I don't think Spiro is saying that sledging causes cheating. I think he is saying that rampant, unkind sledging contributes to a poor culture in which cheating can happen. Now since this is an Aus blog naturally we are talking about Aus. It doesn't imply that other countries have their house in order. What I wouldn't want to happen is one throws the baby out with the bathwater. Some chirping and banter is part of the game. Racism is out... tahts already establiushed.. But what about the other stuff. Cricket is multi-cultural and the line of acceptable behaviour varies across countries I dont care about swearing and blasphemy... but some people do... with some cause. Swearing and blasphemy are commonplace in some countries and unacceptable elsewhere, Even within the SA team certain language is unacceptable to certain religious fellow (both Christian and Muslim). I would imagine Pakistan takes a dim view on blasphemy. So lets take blasphemy off the table.... Then what about the rest.? Draw up some guidelines and leave it to the umpires. Umpire gives either a player or a team a warning... and after that there is some sort of immediate game sanction... Watch how fast behaviour cleans up if 5 runs gets deducted or a bowler can't bowl for a period, The above solution is a traditional one. It returns the power to the umpire. No Slow Mo replay... Umpires decision is final.
Ian
Guest
Spiro, this is a great article. You've really hit the nail on the head. The punishments meted out to Smith, Bancroft and Warner are the result of the accumulation of 40 years worth of sledging! Imagine what would happen if this kind of sledging went on in Tennis or Golf?
Basil
Guest
it's funny how we like to both romanticise and denigrate the past, depending on agenda -The 60s Windies tour to Oz was apparently or lovey dovey both on and off the field, a decade latter it is apparently abusive hostile and racist, both on and off the field!
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
Spiro - you'r essay "Facing the Greats" re opening against the MCC is the best sporting essay I have ever read. Love your work.
Buk
Guest
Spiro, glad your contribution to sports journalism recognised. Have enjoyed your books and articles for many years. Certainly don't agree with every argument you put forward (just was well - if I did, men in white coats might come to lock you up :) ) but certainly thought-provoking.
Buk
Guest
I seem to recall that NZ had only about that time returned to playing Australia in a full tests (previously playing 'tests' only against Australian second sides). So losing to the kiwis with an Australian first-team was seen as the pits, & Chappell hated the prospect, especially as captain, so I presume he therefore targetted NZ's best batsman. Also seem to recall in 1974 that Lillee was injured & Thommo was not yet established in the test team, so their bowling attack lacked the firepower of the 74-75 Ashes.
Buk
Guest
Some good logic in your comments Pablo.
Rugby is Life
Guest
Well, Spiro judging by this interview from Richie himself. A match Test Ban would be appropriate. I think that would have been fair. https://mg.co.za/.../2006-10-02-benaud-balltampering...
MickyT
Guest
Brains Trust - different G.Chappell sledge to what I am referring too.
Sam
Guest
I want to stick up for Steve Waugh who as years go by gets unfairly maligned because of a gaggle of people he didn’t bow down to- Warne, Chappell etc. people go on he was selfish. Did you ever see him shield a tail ender so that he could score more runs? The number of times mental disintegration is bandied about you’d think the winning was all down to the sledging. Sledging would only work if you have some actions or form to back it up with - that’s why the current pop gun Australian team are so hard to stomach. Their brittle opening and middle order provide nothing to brag or boast about. On the other hand Steve Waugh’s team had giants who produced in most places around the world with bat and ball. It suffocated other teams out of the game and caused the mental disintegration that Waugh facilitated. Is anyone trying to tell me that Viv Richards in his late playing days didn’t bag those he felt inferior to him? The WIndies hated Bobby Simpson and didn’t bother to hide it. This is not a plea to save sledging. I’m happy to see it go, but don’t throw baby out with the bath water. If you wanted someone to bat for your life would it be Steve Waugh or Dave Warner?
Harry
Guest
Chappell was a regular sledger in the 1970's. The Turner incident wasn't a one off.
Harry
Guest
Ian Chappell was also my number one boyhood hero however there is no doubt he was a vicious sledger. They reached their zenith (or perhaps more properly nadir) of abuse in the 74/75 Ashes ... when of course they had two genuinely terrifying fast bowlers in Lillee and Thommo. Apparently they weren't so vocal the next year when the Windies toured with matching firepower.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Pablo, Spiro is the one claiming that "there is a direct connection between the Australian tradition of abusive sledging and the cheating that was exposed in Cape Town... Without this history of unacceptable sledging there would not have been the unacceptable cheating and the consequent fallout...". That's not a guess, it's a definitive statement with very little to back it up. If the abusive sledging has been going on for more than 40 years, why has it taken until now for it to lead to anything more? Chappell, Waugh, Border, Taylor, Ponting and Clarke were all strong leaders, whatever other criticisms can be made about each of them. None of them would have signed off on Warner's and Bancroft's desperate plan. My 'educated guess' is that the leadership vacuum in the modern lineup was a more likely reason that the tampering incident occurred. I love Smith as a player and he seems a lovely bloke who just adores the game, but he has never come across as a particularly effective manager of people.
Dave
Guest
Still the one Test series - and one player - is the only evidence anyone has given here. This seems to be fine in journalistic circles, generalising from a tiny sample. But not quite compelling evidence by the standards of science, law, history or common sense. I can only think of one other example regarding Chappell- telling Derek Underwood it was too bad the ball hit his non-bowling after he was reeling from pain from a Thommo delivery. But the West Indies greats in a recent documentary did say how shocked they were by the way the Aussies played the game in the late 70s, especially bowlers giving sendoffs and the like. I think Lillee and Pascoe were particular culprits. But was it Chappell and the rest of the team?
julius
Guest
Spiro: "Turner had words with Chappell challenging the way the Australian captain was abusing the umpire." The verbal abuse by Chappell of Turner was initially caused by a misunderstanding. Near the close of play, Brian Hastings clouted a ball high towards the boundary. In the setting sun the umpire lost track of it and signalled a six. Turner, at the non-striker's end, suggested to the umpired it was four not six. Chappell, who had seen it was four, must have imagined Turner had influenced the umpire to call it six. Chappel, in a highly emotional state--it must have dawned on him he was about to be the first Australian captain to lose to NZ--flew off the handle abusing Turner and the umpire and made a complete arse of himself. Chappell's behaviour got worse as the series progressed. In the final test at Eden Park he stood at a very, very silly point when Turner was batting and continued abusing him as the ball was being bowled. Turner had to stand up from his stance several times he was so distracted. Someone of my age remembers the great Australians that used to come to NZ at the end of their careers with the Australian "B" team. (Australia refused to play official tests against NZ between 1946 until 1971). Norm O'Neill, Les Favell, Alan Connolly, Eric Freeman, Barry Jarman, Brian Booth, Peter Burge and a host of others... they were much admired. They played hard, but they played fair... and with great humour. They always had time for schoolboys, like me. Top blokes. Abusive behaviour towards opponents started with Ian Chappell and has continued to the present day. But it should be remembered that Australian cricket wasn't always like that.
GWSingapore
Guest
The Australians can be crude but are not the sharpest knives in the block wit wise. Maybe twenty years ago or so, an Australian opening batsman, who had the reputation as the Australian attack dog, was verbally abusing an English batsman at the crease for carrying too much weight. The abuse continued for a few overs until the Englishman responded, "It's not my fault I am fat, it's your wife's. Everytime I --- her she gives me a biscuit." The poor Australian had absolutely no response to that, and shut up for the rest of the session.
BrainsTrust
Guest
I just assumed he was the ex test cricketer because he was commentating on cricket matters, and being over 20 years after Sheehan was playing it could have been him grown fatter and older. The dodgy journalist never made reference though to being a cricketer so I should have known the first thing he would have started with would have been back in my day. Bob Oreilly and Mungo Macallum wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald. Thanks for clearing that up.
Johnr
Guest
You are confusing Paul Sheehan the SMH journalist with Paul Sheehan the extest cricketer and subsequent HeadMaster at Melbourne Grammar, a thorough gentleman. It was the former not the latter who wrote the article
The Sheriff
Guest
Spiro nails it again!