Seven of cricket's greatest ever sledges

England's James Anderson (second left) exchanges words with Australia's Michael Clark Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Archive/Press Association Images

England's second test against Australia in Alice Springs tonight could be a heated affair if their first encounter in Brisbane is anything to go by.

in the closing minutes of that test, Aussie captain Michael Clarke was heard telling England's James Anderson to prepare for a broken arm as stepped up to the crease.

Clarke was fined almost £2,000 for that comment, and both captains have promised to tone it down ahead of tonight's test in Alice Springs.

But verbal sparring - known as "sledging" - has always been an important aspect of the psychology of the game. Here are some of the more memorable sledges:

GREG THOMAS vs VIV RICHARDS

Glamorgan bowler Greg Thomas was mocking Somerset batsman Viv Richards after a few misses in a county championship game.

"It's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering," Greg said.

Viv promptly thwacked the ball out of the ground and into a river, before saying: "Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."

MERV HUGHES vs JAVED MIANDAD

Javed Miandad succumbed to Australian sledging. Credit: PA

Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad left Australia's Merv Hughes spitting tacks when he called him a "fat bus conductor".

When Javed was bowled out a few balls later, Merv delighted in calling after him "tickets, please!"

ANDREW FLINTOFF vs TINO BEST

During a 2004 test match at Lords, Andrew Flintoff warned the West Indies batsman Tino Best to "mind the windows" when attempting to slog England spinner Ashley Giles.

The sledge had the desired effect as Tino took a wild swing, missed completely, and was stumped out.

“What happened at Lord’s I felt for six or seven years. Even when I played club cricket people would say ‘mind the windows’,” he later admitted.

JIMMY ORMOND vs MARK WAUGH

Steve Waugh (left) scored 10,927 Test runs to his brother Mark's 8,029. Credit: PA

England's Jimmy Ormond was a new bowler on the test circuit when he encountered Australia's Mark Waugh, who asked him: "Mate, what are you doing out here? There's no way you're good enough to play for England."

Noting the fact that Mark's twin brother Steve was captain of the opposite side, Jimmy retorted: "Maybe not... but at least I'm the best player in my own family."

DARREN GOUGH vs SHANE WATSON

England's Darren Gough makes a ghost impression at Australia's Shane Watson. Credit: PA

The Australian cricket team spent the night at Lumley Castle in Durham the night before facing England in 2005.

Rumours of the castle being haunted left all-rounder Shane Watson in such a state that he apparently slept on the floor of a team-mate's room.

The next morning, Yorkshire bowler Darren Gough told the Aussie: “Don’t worry, you can sleep in my bed tonight."

SPECTATOR AND UMPIRE vs PHIL TUFNELL

Phil Tufnell struggled with his counting down under. Credit: Empics

According to England spinner Phil Tufnell's autobiography he was once effectively sledged by both the umpire and a spectator in the same match.

After losing count of his deliveries in one over during 1990/91's second test at Melbourne, Aussie umpire Peter McConnell is said to have uttered: "Count 'em yourself, you pommie b######d."

Then on retreating to the boundary, Tufnell took more verbals from one Australian in the crowd who yelled: "Oi, Tufnell, lend us your brain, we're building an idiot."