'Sledging taken too far,' says Logie

[IndianRenegade]

'Sledging taken too far,' says Logie Mumbai: Former West Indies batsman and coach of Bermuda Under-19 World Cup squad, Augustine Logie, feels that the current lot of cricketers has taken on-field banter to a personal level which was wrong. Alluding to the unsavoury incidents in the Sydney Test between India and Australia Down Under, Logie said that cricketers should avoid making personal comments which was bad for the game. "Cricket is all about skill shown at the ground. Even we were aggressive and players during my times also exchanged words with each other. But that was of a different kind, which had humour in it, and the players from both the sides would have a laugh on it," Logie said. Logie said the current cricketers are role models for future players and he had his doubts whether either Ricky Ponting or Andrew Symonds would invite Harbhajan Singh at their residence in the wake of the recent bad blood between the two teams. "We did have our differences but at the end of the day we went to the opposition dressing room to congratulate them on their performance. I wonder whether (Ricky) Ponting or (Andrew) Symonds would invite (Harbhajan) Singh to their house likewise," said the cricketer who was a member of the world conquering West Indian teams of the 1980s and 1990s. Stressing the need for better on-field behaviour in future, he said youngsters were watching them and these players are their role models and are the ones who bring in the crowds. "Such comments on skin, colour and family should not be made. It's just a game, after all," Logie said. Logie said he had been impressed by the way the Indian batsmen have changed their attitude and faced the fast bowlers on their tours of England, South Africa and Australia in recent times. "The Indian team is no longer afraid of playing against the Aussies in Australia and they have proved it with their recent performance," he said. Sourav (Ganguly), (Virender) Sehwag and especially Sachin Tendulkar gave them (Australians) a tough time and Laxman played a pivotal role during the series, he said, adding young Ishant Sharma reminded him of former West Indian pace great Curtly Ambrose. "I am particularly impressed with Ishant Sharma and watching him felt like watching a young (Curtly) Ambrose," Logie said. About the current West Indies team, he said the side had been plagued with many injuries and has been inconsistent for a long time. "At present they don't have the momentum going for them, if they compete then that would just be enough," he said. Logie added that the difference between the current Windies side and the one during the eighties was that every one of his generation was a leader in his own right and probably this was one quality lacking in the present side. "They were physically bigger and took the mantle of leadership on their shoulders," he said. "But after (Brian) Lara, the team would need time to regroup. But they have played well in the recent series in South Africa with Dwyane Bravo and Marlon Samuels performing well of late," he added. The Bermuda colts team is to play some practice games here before leaving on Saturday for Malaysia.

[Lurker]

Augustine Logie was on the receiving end of one of the famous cricketing sledges. This particular incident may give an insight into how cricket has changed over the years. It happened in a game against Aussies(mid 80s). Gus Logie was on the short side(close to 5ft) and he was bounced by an Aussie bowler whose name I forget. Anyway while ducking the bouncer Logie fell on the ground and his cap went sprawling on the pitch. Aussie fielder David Hookes walked to the cap and muttered loudly, "Come on Logie..I know you are inside of that little cap, come on out". (a humoros comment on Logie's size) :hysterical::hysterical: Needless to say both the team were in splits and no hard feelings was seen.

[IndianRenegade]

The constant reference by ex cricketers about sledging was very less intense/wasn't present then reminds me of Tamil Comedian Goundermani! :hysterical:

[fineleg]

The constant reference by ex cricketers about sledging was very less intense/wasn't present then reminds me of Tamil Comedian Goundermani! :hysterical:

whatz the connection?