The England vs Australia Ashes Series has been the ultimate series that not only highlights the quality of the match but also the psychological battles that often start with words. And these words come from different sides. Sometimes the players sledge, sometimes the crowd boos, or sometimes it just the mentality, the silent grind that impatiences the opponent. On Day 4 of the second Ashes Test at Gabba, Australian captain fired up after the England bowler Jofra Archer had a heated moment with Steve Smith. Even though such scenes are pretty uncommon these days, here are five instances of iconic sledges in the Ashes history: 1 | Merv Hughes vs Robin Smith, 1989 Ashes Merv Hughes has been one of those nasty sledgers and has incidents with almost every country he played against. However, he got the taste of his own medicine in the 1989 Ashes in the Lord's Test. Hughes was bowling to England's Robin Smith, who played and missed a ball. And then Hugh turned back and siad, "you can't f**king bat." Well, Smith stayed calm. The very next ball Smith hit a boundary, and while walking past, he calmly retorted, “Hey Merv, we make a fine pair — I can’t ting bat, and you can’t fing bowl.” Well, Australia had won the series by 4-0, but they struggled a lot at the Lord's. Meanwhile, Smith, who was considered as a beast against pace, had a much better position than other English batters of the series. And this, words became the weapon over the ball. Read also: Why are Australia and England wearing black armbands in the second Ashes Test at Gabba? 2 | Michael Clarke vs James Anderson, 2013-14 Ashes Known as one of the gentlemen, the former Australian captain once broke the barrier and was fined 20% of his match fee after passing an indecent threat to the English bowler James anderson in the Gabba Test of 2013-14 Ashes. England was already struggling in front of the Austrlians, when Clarke decided to threat the batter Anderson. From the slips, Clarke was heard saying, "Get ready for a f***ing broken arm.” Clarke also wagged his finger in Anderson’s face during the confrontation — a gesture that added to the aggression. Australia had won the match by a massive 381 runs with Clarke himself scoring 124 runs. However, he was criticized for the choice of words. Even Clarke himself felt sorry, not just for saying it, but also for being heard in the stump mic saying, it will set a bad example for the kids. 3 | Bodyline series (1932-33 Ashes) The visiting England cricket team, under captain Douglas Jardine, adopted a tactic known as “bodyline” or “fast‑leg theory” — fast bowlers (like Harold Larwood and Bill Voce) deliberately bowled short balls aimed at the bodies of Australian batsmen, especially to subdue the batting genius Don Bradman. Fielders were packed on the leg side to catch rebounds from bat‑defences. At that time, cricket was seen as a "gentleman’s game"; the tactic was viewed by many as dangerous, threatening not just sporting fairness but physical safety. The English plan was criticised as unsporting, and there was outrage among players, fans and even the Australian board. England won the series 4–1. But the backlash was so intense — both on-field hostility and crowd anger — that the controversy almost escalated into a diplomatic row between England and Australia. The backlash eventually forced a rethink of the rules: the game’s laws were changed to limit such leg‑theory bowling, reduce intimidatory field positions and protect batsmen. 4. James Anderson vs Michael Johnson (2010-11 Ashes) England fast bowler James Anderson was bowling the tail ender of Australia, when Ryan Harris was batting with Mitchell Johnson. Johnson was at the non-striker's end when Anderson was getting ready for the next ball. Johnson turned back, and raised his hand and said, “Why are you chirping now, mate — not getting any wickets?” And the very next ball, he rattled down Ryan Harris. Then, in a now‑iconic moment, he turned and put a finger to his lips to signal “shush” to Johnson. 5 | Crowd booed Steve Smith on his 100th Test: During the 2023 Ashes, crowd hostility became a defining feature, particularly after Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by Alex Carey at Lord’s. Bairstow had left his crease following a Cameron Green bouncer, and Carey executed a sharp stumping, upheld by the umpires. Many England fans and former players argued it violated the “spirit of cricket.” The tension carried into the third Test at Headingley, where Steve Smith, playing his 100th Test, was greeted by boos and chants including “we saw you crying on the tele,” referencing his 2018 ball‑tampering scandal. The crowd also jeered Carey upon taking the field. Media described the atmosphere as vociferous, with former Australian player Tom Moody condemning it as unsporting. This episode illustrates how the crowd acted as a psychological factor, putting pressure on Australia’s key players. Smith and Carey had to navigate both opposition skill and vocal crowd resentment.