Since when did monkey become a bad word?

Bhajji’s alleged slur of calling Symmo a ‘big monkey’ is no big deal if we look in the past what other Aussie players have uttered. Gautam Sheth brings to your notice the not so famous words from down under.

Hard-hitting headlines like “Umpires give Oz 2-0 lead”, “Team India: c Benson b Bucknor,” “Umpires beat India” have ruled the roost in Indian media after dim-witted umpiring errors from Jamaican Steve Bucknor and English Mark Benson.

But what has become the point of controversy is the word ‘big monkey’ which apparently only Australian players have heard of. Before any further argument let’s dig in to the past on how Australia, the pioneers in the art of sledging and also how they got a taste of their own medicine.

Not sure when it started but during the Bodyline series in 1932-33, Englishman Doglas Jardine complained about a fielder at slip swearing at him. To this Australia skipper, Bill Woodfull asked his players, “All right, which one of you ba#$%*&@ called this ba#$%*& a ba#$%*&?”

Denis Lillee while bowling to Mike Gatting yelled his heart out saying, “Hell, Gatt, move out of the way. I can't see the stumps.”

Or to mention Ian Healy's legendary comment which was picked up by the television microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during an ODI in Sydney. “You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c**t!!!” said Healy to Ranatunga.

But the most debated war of words was between Glenn McGrath and Ramnaresh Sarwan. McGrath in his arrogant ways asked Sarwan, “So what does Laras co#* taste like?” Sarwan was on it instantly and snapped back at McGrath “I dunno, ask your wife,” said Sarwan. McGrath was furious and he blasted Sarwan for his disrespect to his (McGrath) wife, “If you ever mention my wife again I'll rip your fu#$*#g head off!”

This wasn’t the first time McGrath was hit back hard. In a match against Zimbabwe, McGrath had politely enquired to Eddo Brandes, “Brandes, why are you so fat?” Brandes was bang on ready and gave back saying, “cause every time I f**k your wife she gives me a biscuit.”

Robin Smith played and missed while facing Hughes in the 1989 Lord's Test between England and Australia. Hughes, who was never short of a word or two, told Smith: “You can't f***ing bat, mate.” Smith then smashed the next ball to the boundary and replied: “Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. “I can't f***ing bat and you can't f***ing bowl.”

Players around the world had come to know that Australian players were always on a war of words before, during or after the match. It seemed as if there dominance in world cricket had gone in to their heads and they had forgotten that the spirit of the game should not be upheld for any reasons. They always called all this as a sporting banter. For instance once Daryll Cullinan came in to bat Aussie bad boy Shane Warne said, “I’ve been waiting 2 years to bowl to you again.” Cullinan didn’t think twice before replying Warney in style. He said, “looks like you spent them eating”

To end it, I feel Jimmy Ormond of England must have remembered his Test debut for a lifetime. He was well equipped to face the Aussie bowling and verbal attack too. He was welcomed by Mark Waugh saying, “Mate, what are you doing out here? There's no way you're good enough to play for England.” Ormond had done his homework, he replied, “Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my own family.”