The fourth day proved most eventful. The West Indian vice-captain, 21-year-old Ramnaresh Sarwan, was steering his side towards a second-innings total of 417; one that would save them from the indignity of a 4-0 Test series whitewash.
At the other end, fast bowler Glenn McGrath was desperately trying to turn the game Australia’s way. But having been belted for 21 runs in two overs, McGrath could contain himself no longer, and resorted to an unoriginal, homophobic-themed sledge, with Sarwan replying with an equally cliched retort relating to his rival’s wife.
McGrath to Sarwan: “What does Brian Lara’s ---- taste like?”
Sarwan replied: “I don’t know, ask your wife.”
McGrath began to walk away before turning back and heading to within a foot of Sarwan, screaming: “If you ever f------ mention my wife again, I’ll f------ rip your f------ throat out.”
McGrath complained to umpire David Shepherd that Sarwan had referred to his wife Jane (who is having treatment for cancer).
Sledging folklore
“It’s round, it’s red and it’s got six stitches in it.” - English county bowler to West Indian Viv Richards after he had played and missed several times.
“Hey man. You know what it looks like - go fetch it.” - Richards in reply, after hitting the next ball to the fence.
“Why are you so fat?” - Glenn McGrath to Zimbabwean Eddo Brandes.
“Because every time I #&$!@ your wife, she gives me a biscuit.” - Brandes’s reply.
“You don’t get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat #$&!%.” - Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy after Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga asked for a runner during a one-day match.
“Can’t bowl, can’t throw.” - Nine network cameraman Joe Previtera after a wayward return by Australian bowler Scott Muller. Originally attributed to Shane Warne.
“Thanks, mate. You’ve just dropped the World Cup.” - Attributed to captain Steve Waugh to South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs after he dropped a chance from Waugh in the semi-final of the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Waugh denies saying it.
“We don’t want you here, get out of my ground!” - Yorkshire bowler Steve Kirby to Steve Waugh in an English county match.
“No, I won’t, this is my favourite pitch. And who are you, the *#@%& mayor?” - Waugh’s reply.
“The cheque’s in the mail.” - An SCG spectator to Pakistan’s Salim Malik after he was dismissed in the final Test match of the 1995 series. Malik had made a comeback after being embroiled in a match-fixing scandal.
“These people have not come to watch you bowl. They have come to watch me bat.” - England’s W. G. Grace, reportedly by way of explanation for his refusal to leave the crease when dismissed.
“No need to sledge me. I’ve been sledged more times than you’ve had pisses.” - India’s Sunil Gavaskar replying to a Simon O’Donnell sledge.
