Top 10 Ashes sledging incidents

While it may not be something that everyone is comfortable with, sledging does exist in cricket. It may be a gentlemen's game but there is plenty of banter being thrown around during a match.

Whether it is a word from the wicketkeeper to an incoming batsman or a concentrated effort by close-in fielders to get into the minds of the batsmen, or the bowler just trying to win the mental battle, sledging does exist.

While some are nasty, most of them are quite funny, especially when observed from a neutral perspective. With the Ashes coming up, one can expect a lot of heated arguments taking place during the matches.

Both the teams have a history of sledging between both their players. Let us take a look at the 10 best sledges in Ashes history.

Bonus clip:

Merv Hughes-Graham Gooch

Merv Hughes is someone who likes to ruffle up the opponent's feathers by getting under his skin. No one has been spared and even the great Viv Richards had some torrid time in dealing with the Aussie pacer's sledges.

In an encounter between Hughes and former England international Graham Gooch, the bowler was dominating the batsman and sent several deliveries whistling past the batter before having a staredown contest with the batsman. Hughes then exclaimed, "I’ll get you a f**king piano you Pommie poofta. Let’s see if you can play that."

Glenn McGrath-Michael Atherton

The Glenn McGrath-Michael Atherton rivalry is one of the most intense player rivalries in the sport. Both these players exchanged a lot of words when they played against each other.

When they had a go at each other once, the Aussie pacer tried out an old Australian classic, something that was used by Merv Hughes in the past, on the then England captain who fell for it.

When Atherton was taking a run, he went close to McGrath and this is what happened.

McGrath: Athers, it would help if you got rid of the s**t at the end of your bat.

Atherton looks at the bottom of his bat.

McGrath: No, not that end, mate.

Michael Atherton-Ian Healy

Athers gave it back to Ian Healy like a boss

Remember the saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"? Even though some might not remember this, former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy would as former England opener Atherton gave him a fitting reply when the gloveman accused him of not walking after clearly edging the ball.

During the 1990-91 SCG Test, Atherton edged a ball to Healy and refused to walk to the pavilion. That led to an exchange of words between the two and the Aussie was left speechless by the opener.

Healy: You're a fucking cheat.

Atherton: When in Rome, dear boy...

Shane Warne-Paul Collingwood

When England won the 2005 Ashes, every single member of the side was honoured with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). Paul Collingwood, who played only one Test and ended with scores of seven and ten in his innings, also received the honour.

Warne took a dig at the English all-rounder for receiving the honour in spite of scoring just 17 runs in the whole series. Warne said, “You’ve got an MBE, right? For scoring seven at The Oval? You’re an embarrassment.”

Dennis Lillee-Mike Gatting

Being a fat guy myself, I admit that there is nothing easier than making fun of another stocky person. Former England captain Mike Gatting is someone who might agree with this as he was made fun of his weight by his own teammates on few occasions.

Aussie legend Dennis Lillee took advantage of Gatting's size and took a dig at him by saying, "Hell, Gatt, move out of the way, I can't see the stumps."

Bill Woodfull to Douglas Jardine

During the infamous Bodyline series, England captain Douglas Jardine swatted away a fly on the field for which an Aussie fan from the stands shouted, “Leave our flies alone, you b*****d. They are the only friends you have got here.”

Following that incident, Jardine alleged that one of the Aussie fielders labelled him a b******. and took this issue to the Australian captain Bill Woodfull.

Jardine: Your fielder called me a b*****d.

Woodfull (to his teammates): All right, which one of you b******s called this b*****d a b*****d?

Ian Chappell-Derek Underwood

In 1972, when Underwood, the England slow left-arm bowler, was struck by a snorter from Lillee, Chappell ran in from the slips to check on him.

Chappell: “How’s the hand, which one was it?”

Underwood: “It was my right.”

Chappell: “That’s a shame. We were aiming for the left.”

Merv Hughes-Robin Smith

When Merv Hughes got the taste of his own medicine

This is probably one of the few times when an Englishman gave it back to Merv Hughes. When Hughes tried to get under England batsman Robin Smith's skin, Smith returned with one of the wittiest replies.

Hughes: You can’t f******* bat.

Smith hits Hughes for four.

Smith: Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can’t f******* bat and you can’t f******* bowl.

Hughes didn't forget what he got back from Smith and tried to intimidate him after four years and the story was no different then.

Hughes: It’s four years since I bowled to you and you haven’t improved.

Smith hits Hughes for four.

Smith: Neither have you.

Mark Waugh-James Ormond

How many of you remember former England bowler James Ormond? He might not have played many matches for England but he is well known for the witty reply that he gave to the younger of the Waugh twins, Mark Waugh.

As Ormond was getting ready to bowl, Mark Waugh had a brief conversation. Here is what happened.

Waugh: F**k me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here? There's no way you're good enough to play for England.

Ormond: Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my family.

Ian Botham to Rodney Marsh

Sir Ian Botham gave Aussies tough time in sledging too

In the past, England all-rounder Ian Botham has given the Aussies a lot of nightmares. The Durham based player has won a lot of matches for his team, with both bat and ball.

The Aussies always loved to see the back of Botham as soon as he came out to bat. In one of the matches, Aussie wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh tried to do the same thing and was shut by the all-rounder.

Rod Marsh: So how's your wife and my kids?

Ian Botham: The wife's fine, the kids are retarded.