Smith's Crew in SA

[DJC]

You reckon that sort of sledging is Ok do you ?........we were completely scathing of the Saints (carlisle) targeting Murph's wife with similar on-field sledging & backed Murphs reaction to that to the hilt.....hypocrisy.

It is not OK in any situation in any sport, no matter who it involves......and I can tell you if me or anyone else copped anything like that playing cricket in my day, the sledger would have been taken out the back of the sheds & layed out......

There is a huge difference between the two situations.  Murphy did not sledge Carlisle and was subjected to a barrage of inappropriate comments from Carlisle and other players.  In contrast, Warner is the acknowledged leader of the Australian cricketers' sledging and he is a known bully.  In common with most bullies, Warner is quite happy to dish it out but doesn't like it coming back.

I have listened to several sportsmen talking about Warner's over the top reaction on the wireless and the most common responses to a sledge about one's partner are, "Whatever!" and "Is that the best you've got?"

Warner's behaviour in sledging the Saffies and his over the top reaction to being sledged in return could well cost us the series.  Player temperament is just as important as run scoring or wicket taking ability.