This clearly has to be Lehmann's influence. Gamesmanship is one thing but predicting or wishing physical harm on an opponent on the cricket field steps over a boundary (pardon the pun) IMHO. I suppose if you want to win and all costs and bring yourself to a level lower than a rattlesnake then its the way to go. However if you have some shred of decency youd really take stock of where the Aussies are going with this.
Ironic that they complained about Bodyline all those years ago and now feel free to pepper all and sundry with short balls and verbally predict and wish physical harm on opponents. At the end of the day Clarke in particular has to think whether he will look back in years to come on this sort of antic with any sort of embarrassment or pride.[DOUBLEPOST=1385319247][/DOUBLEPOST]
Disgraceful that mind. Out of order.[DOUBLEPOST=1385319354][/DOUBLEPOST]
This is not sledging, its more than that. This is a deliberate attempt to win a game of cricket (I'll repeat a game of cricket) by trying inflict and wishing to inflict physical harm on your opponent. TBF to Clarke it seems as though its Lehmann who has brought this type of thing into the Aussie game. His recent outbursts, about Broad in particular, show what sort of an odious character he is.