05.02.08
The Times - Un-Australian? Nothing wrong with sledging
The sledging issue has become topical again after the Harbhajan Singh appeal – even being described as un-Australian by Michael Jeffery, the Governor General. I am not in a position to comment specifically on the Harbhajan case, but I do believe that sledging is a legitimate weapon as long as it does not become abusive. Foul language or an aggressive tone are signs of a frustrated player.
I found it an extremely effective tactic against an insecure batsman who could be intimidated. South Africa’s Darryl Cullinan springs to mind as a good player who was not confident against Australia, particularly leg spin.
On the other hand, with Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, it was better to be friends and make them smile rather than wind them up.
Allan Border, who was captain when I made my Test debut in 1992, showed me how sledging can be used in a different way. Sometimes I would fire myself up at the end of an over, for example, by saying to a batsman: “What are you looking at?” He would usually reply: “What are you talking about?” Suddenly, there was a contest – nothing nasty, just full-on cricket. I do not see any harm in that.