Sledging

Derek Pringle, who I respect far more now that he is writing about cricket rather than playing it, has a very interesting article in the Telegraph about Australians and sledging. From what Pringle says it seems that coping abuse is a rite of passage for young Australian cricketers - a type of hazing - and Australian players' exposure to that from a young age might explain why they always act surprised when foreigners complain. I guess if you have survived the process yourself you might feel it is something that has made you harder and something that you have a right to put others through.