New Zealand proved that you don’t need sledging in your arsenal to be successful: Greg Chappell

“New Zealand, now the world champions of Test cricket, have proved without a doubt that you don’t need it in your arsenal to be successful,” Chappell wrote in his book ‘Not Out’. In Age.com.

“In many ways, what type of cricket is played Kane WilliamsonThe team of – good batting with active running between the wickets, fast fielding and precise bowling with a combination of pace, bounce, swing and seam – Australia made its own over several generations before sledging emerged as a tactical weapon. “

Chappell’s words were in reference to the sledging culture, which became a big issue in Australian cricket, something that blew up after the ball-tampering scandal of 2018.

Chappell wrote, “While such things were occasionally seen under Allan Border and Mark Taylor, in Steve’s time it became acceptable to stand there and beat an opposition player as a common strategy.”

“In later generations it went from a necessity to something like a badge of honor to be able to raise the nose of the opposition faster than they could rise above ours.”

Chappell said this sledging culture led to the infamous sandpaper gate in Cape Town, which saw the suspension of three Australian players – Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

“There was a period up to Cape Town where some of us had the same sentiment. We couldn’t tell you what the problem was or was going to be a shock, but we knew something ominous was about to happen.

Chappell lashed out at Australian batsman Steve Smith, who was banned by Cricket Australia for a year for his role in the ball-tampering scandal.

“I had a great degree of sympathy for Steve. Just as he had a recession in South Africa, so did mine at the MCG in 1981. I didn’t see it coming, and I don’t know if anyone sees it coming Or not. I didn’t realize till that day how much I was struggling. And I don’t think anyone around me knew it,” he wrote.