Rival teams have exploited an Australian side scared to sledge for fear of a backlash from Cricket Australia and the public following the bitter Sydney Test against India in 2008, the players' union said.
Australian coach Tim Nielsen said the toning down of aggression followed the backlash but also a changing of the guard. ''When you are a young guy that has just come into the team you are not going to start sledging opposition players immediately. They have to build up a bit of confidence in their game and their place in the side.''
- News Report, Sydney Morning Herald 22.12.2010
Some More Sledging and Commentary Moments:
Caution: Risque language...
Batsman Darryl Cullinan used to struggle against Shane Warne. The Australian had him on toast in one Test series in South Africa. Two years pass and, in the return series Down Under, Cullinan comes out to bat. Warne says: "I've waited two years for this." Cullinan replies: "Yeah, and it looks like you spent them eating."
