Viciously spinning sledge should be played with straight bat
The Ashes begin a week today. With sledging being a big talking point during the build-up, here is a selection of the most withering put-downs from previous series. "If you turn the bat over there's instructions on the back." - Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes to Graeme Hick."I'll bowl you a f**king piano, you Pommie p***, let's see if you can play that." - Merv Hughes, again, this time to Graham Gooch.Rod Marsh: "How's your wife and my kids?"Ian Botham: "The wife's fine, but the kids are retarded.""You got an MBE, right? For scoring seven at the Oval? That's embarrassing." - Shane Warne to England batsman Paul Collingwood, who actually managed 17 at the Oval.Mark Waugh: "There's no way you're good enough to play for England."Jimmy Ormond: "Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my own family."..
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