After a first innings panning, the Australian fast bowlers bounced back producing a second innings assault that hinted at a much improved showing for the rest of the season. A fiery James Pattinson led the assault, ruffling the feathers of the battle hardened South African captain, Graham Smith.
South African touring teams generally illicit a healthy amount of disdain from Australian sports fans but Graham Smith’s broken hand heroics four years ago earned the ruthless captain the begrudging respect of the local cricketing public. He’s a tough customer and the war of words that erupted between himself and Pattinson is sure to continue throughout the series. Snaring Smith’s wicket, Pattinson won the battle. Expect Smith to dig in for the war.
Australian Captain Michael Clarke was quick to play down the battle. “You have got two very competitive teams that want to have success and both teams are going to push hard but both teams understand where the line is and I’m pretty sure nobody overstepped that mark. Both teams played the right way.”
Here’s what happens when they step over that line:
Top 5 Pitch Bowler/Batsman Clashes
Dennis Lillee vs Javed Miandad
Lillee was always know as a fiery customer not above throwing in a little bit of niggle but he met his match when he took on Pakistani batsmam Javed Miandad. After obstructing Miandad’s run, Lillee gave him a kick in the pads after Miandad had made his ground. Miandad hoisted his bat like a man possessed and the only thing stopping him crushing it into Lillee’s skull was the umpire who stood between them. Lillee was suspended for two games and fined $150.
Curtly Ambrose vs Steve Waugh
On a very bowler friendly pitch in Trinidad, Waugh was lumped with the responsibility of seeing off a fired-up Ambrose after a top order collapse. After another long stare from Ambrose, which came in abundance during the searing spell, Waugh asked “What the fuck are you looking at?”. Brave or foolhardy? Ambrose had to be held back which was probably just as well for the dogged Waugh who was giving up plenty in the way of reach to the towering West Indian.
Balaji Rao vs Pakistan
Coming in at number 10 for Canada against Pakistan, most of us would be happy just to be out in the middle and go about our business with little fuss. Not Balaji Rao, who refused to take a backwards step against premier fast bowler Umar Gul and the rest of the Pakistani players. Unfortunately Rao’s running between the wicket was not did not have the same urgency as his vitriol fueled retorts.
Glenn McGrath vs Ramnaresh Sarwan
This particularly ugly incident saw McGrath fly of the handle like never before. As documented on cricket sledges, the exchange went along the lines of:
McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan: “So what does Brian Lara’s dick taste like?
“Sarwan: “I don’t know. Ask your wife.
McGrath : “If you ever F**king mention my wife again, I’ll Fucking rip your Fucking throat out.”
Unfortunately for Sarwan’s quick wit, McGrath’s wife was very sick at the time with the cancer that would later take her life.
Gautam Gambhir vs Shahid Afridi
Tensions are always high whenever Pakistan meet India anyway, but things boiled over in a battle between the Pakistani spinning all-rounder and the Indian top order ace. Some terse words were exchanged before a major pitch collision. Allegedly viewers who could lip read were traumatised after the video was telecasted.
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