The war of words: Five great Ashes sledges
Australia have landed on English soil and batsman Shaun Marsh has already opened the war of words with a promise of aggressive Antipodean cricket in the hugely anticipated Ashes.
However, the Aussies pledged not to overstep the mark when it comes to sledging.
Believe them? No, neither do we. And to celebrate the art of sledging, we've picked out five of the most cutting lines from Ashes series past.
1. Glenn McGrath to Michael Atherton
Atherton proved a stout, fearless England captain who led the team through some dark days in the 90s. But against Glenn McGrath his bat turned to jelly. Dismissed an incredible 19 times by his nemesis, Atherton also lost the sledging war.
McGrath: "Athers, it would help if you got rid of the **** at the end of your bat."
Atherton then looked at the bottom of his bat.
McGrath: "No, no, the other end."
2. Merv Hughes to Graeme Hick
Merv was king of the sledge. Hughes had the wood on Worcestershire's Hick, who averaged 35 against the Aussies – higher than his overall test average – but never fulfilled his undoubted potential. Hughes once told him: "Mate, if you just turn the bat over you'll find the instructions on the other side."
3. Robin Smith to Merv Hughes
Merv sometimes found English bastmen gave as good as they got, as Smith did when about to face a Hughes delivery. Hughes: "You can't ****ing bat."
Smith then proceeded to smash a Hughes delivery for four.
Smith: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't ****ing bat and you can't ****ing bowl."
4. Jimmy Ormond to Mark Waugh
The name Jimmy Ormond doesn't hold a huge amount of resonance when it comes to discussing Ashes legends. He played just one Ashes test, taking one wicket (although it was Ricky Ponting) and conceding 115 runs.
However despite his short-lived international career Ormond left an indelible mark in sledging terms, when he was preparing to bowl to Mark Waugh, brother of Steve.
Waugh: "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."
5. Sir Ian Botham to Rod Marsh
Legendary all-rounder Sir Ian Botham was never one to shy away from a confrontation and he put Aussie keeper Rod Marsh in his place with this put-down.
Marsh: "So how's my wife and your kids?" Botham: "Wife's good but the kids are retarded."
