The oldest rivalry in the history of the game is on, and we’re loving every bit of it. There’s a lot of history behind it, and the tournament began after the Aussies recorded their first victory on English soil, in 1882. This defeat led to a journalist (Reginald Shirley Brooks) publishing a mock obituary about the death of English cricket.
Since then, the prestigious urn has been fiercely contested for and there have been many on-field feuds between the players. Let’s take a look at some of the most ferocious ones.
James Anderson quiets Mitchell Johnson
“Why are you not chirping now, mate. Not getting any wickets, eh?,” Mitchell Johnson tells James Anderson.
Next delivery, Anderson rattles the stumps and puts his finger on his lips as a symbol for sweet revenge.
Get ready for a broken f’in arm
Australia need just one wicket to win, and Michael Clarke doesn’t really need to get so nasty.
But he does and tells James Anderson to get ready for a broken f’n arm.
Ian Chappell gets nasty against Derek Underwood
Way back in the day, bowlers did aim to hurt batsman and get joy out of it. That has changed after the unfortunate death of Phillip Hughes.
Derek Underwood was hit on his hand by a snorter from Dennis Lillee, and instead of apologizing, the Aussies rubbed salt on the wound.
Ian Chappell: “How’s the hand, which one was it?”
Ian Chappell: “How’s the hand, which one was it?”
Derek Underwood: “It was my right.”
Ian Chappell: “That’s a shame. We were aiming for the left.”
Nasser Hussain calls Justin Langer a bus driver
Another incident that seems to cross the line between sporty banter and insult, is Nasser Hussain’s behaviour against Justin Langer.
After getting some trash talking from Langer, Hussain rebutted, “I don’t mind this lot chirping at me but you’re just the bus driver.”
Robin Smith makes a great comeback against Merv Hughes
Robin Smith and Merv Hughes had a lot of fights, but a couple of them stand the test of time.
1)
Hughes: “You can’t fucking bat.”
Smith relies with a boundary.
Smith: “Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can’t fucking bat and you can’t fucking bowl.”
2)
Hughes: “It’s four years since I bowled to you and you haven’t improved”
Smith replies with boundary again.
Smith: “Neither have you.”
Featured image credit: Sky Sports/
