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Sledging (cricket)

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In cricket, sledging (or chirping) is exchanging words with an opposition player which can put them off their usual game; it is an attempt to "psych out" an opponent. It can lead to an unexpected decline in performance and is not in the spirit of the game. It is most frequently used by wicketkeepers to batsmen at the striking end. The wicketkeeper usually talks to himself, but in a loud enough voice that the batsman can hear. Normally the wicketkeeper will talk about hypothetical bowling situations in which the batsmen is bowled. It is also common for the wicketkeeper to encourage the batsmen to attempt to slog the ball, a risky action which could lead to catches or clean bowls. Another frequently used device is to congratulate the bowler on his bowling which also is considered excellent at unnerving the batters.





Contents





Instances of sledging



Humorous

Many examples of sledging are fondly remembered for their humour, either through a witty challenge, or a quick retort. The following examples have entered cricketing folklore.


Psychological

Psychological sledging is seen as a way of getting under an opposing player's skin, and disrupting their concentration. Normally directed at batsmen, often by wicketkeepers and close in fielders, sometimes the tables can be turned...


Tasteless

At the bottom end of the acceptability scale, the following style of sledging is condemned even by those who advocate the practice. Players caught using this style of tactic, will risk hefty fines or suspension, although they can be effective in upsetting the opponent.


Myth




Cultural views on sledging

Because cricket is an international sport with a wide variety of cultures involved, opinions on sledging can differ considerably, leading to many cultural misunderstandings and controversies.



English

Traditionally sledging was seen as a prime example of a practice that was "Not Cricket", and was generally looked down upon as ungentlemanly. Mild forms of sledging would take place in the English game, but personal attacks were seen as unacceptable. In recent years, English cricket has adopted a more Australasian competitive streak, and sledging has become more commonplace.



Australasian

In Australian and New Zealand culture, sledging is seen as fair game, and part of masculine discourse. Adult males commonly insult each other as part of social relations, particularly in sport, with the proviso that "What's said on the pitch stays on the pitch". Two sports players may thus insult each other on a cricket field, and then have a beer afterwards and be the best of friends. In this cultural context, sledging is not seen as a big deal, and those who complain about it are derided as immature and unmasculine.



Southern African

White South African and Zimbabwean society are very similar to Australian and New Zealand society in this context, and inter team sledging can be conducted in a humourous maner (see the McGrath-Brandes inicident above and the resulting reaction).  However one big difference in the Southern African context is the sensitivity to racism - racist sledges are seen as quite unacceptable, to a greater degree than say Australia.



West Indian

West Indian have been known to hold their own in witty sledges with western teams. (see Viv Richard's and Sarwan's examples above). However any inkling of racial, or cultural slights can be interpreted very negatively.



South Asian


South Asian societies such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have a very strong concept of politeness and keeping face. Personal insults are seen as boorish and uneducated. When cricket was first introduced to the westernised elites of South Asian society, these groups adopted the concepts of fair play in the traditional English sense when playing cricket. Players raised in such a cricketing subculture consequently found it hard to accept, or handle sledging in the Australasian fashion. Many controversies have arisen out of these very different cultural prisms. In recent years however South Asian teams have become adept at sledging in their own fashion, notably Sri Lanka, which has used Australian coaches and coaching methods since the mid 1990s. (Note the examples of wicketkeeping sledges by Kumar Sangakarra above, who is renowned as being able to get under the skin of opposing batsmen.) Western commentators have often challenged South Asian teams on their supposed claims of sledging innocence, pointing at the common on field use of Hindi and Urdu phrases that neither other players nor umpires can understand. 


Sourav Ganguly, captain of the Indian team in the early 2000s, decided to give the Australians a taste of their own tasteless sledging in the 2000-2001 series. His encounters with the then Australian captain, Steve Waugh, were particularly played up both in the Indian and the Australian media, so much so that he was referred to as the bad boy of international cricket in the Australian media.



Sledging in other sports


While sledging is probably most well-known within cricket, it also happens in other sports, notably rugby and, it appears, within soccer. The Zidane incident at the final of the 2006 World Cup appears to rival the instances within cricket, but on an even bigger stage.



Controversies



See also





Sources






 





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