SIX OF THE BEST: ON-FIELD BUST UPS

SIX OF THE BEST (OR SHOULD THAT BE SIX OF THE WORST?)

1. Dennis Lillee and Javed Miandad: Australia v Pakistan at Perth, 1981/82

Two fiery characters came to blows in Lillee’s back yard. As Miandad attempted to complete a single, the moustachioed Western Australian stepped across and blocked his path. The Pakistani claimed he had been kicked, while Lillee maintained he had been struck by Miandad’s bat. A confrontation ensued with Miandad wielding his bat over his head. In stepped umpire Tony Crafter to separate the pair. Lillee was eventually restrained by captain Greg Chappell.

 

2. Fred Goodall and Colin Croft: West Indies v New Zealand at Christchurch, 1979/80 

Michael Holding had infamously kicked over the stumps in the first Test after John Parker was given not out caught behind, and things were kept simmering in the second. Colin Croft had a number of appeals turned down, and when he was no-balled by umpire Fred Goodall he knocked the bails off on his way back to his mark. He then steamed in to bowl and shoulder-charged Goodall in the back; accidentally, he said.

 

3. Marlon Samuels and Shane Warne: Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars at MCG, 2012/13

In a fiery Big Bash derby, Marlon Samuels angered Shane Warne by pulling back David Hussey as he attempted a second run. When Samuels came to the crease, Warne was still fuming. Upon fielding a drive, Warne flicked the ball straight back at him only for Samuels to launch his bat in Warne’s direction. Samuels reignited the feud after this year’s World T20: “I don’t know why he hates me. Maybe because my face is real and his is not?”

 

4. Jason Anderson and George O’Brien: Cleveland v Willow Cuts at St David’s CC, Bermuda, 2015/16

The Champion of Champions final was the scene for this brutal set-to. At the end of an over, Cleveland wicketkeeper Jason Anderson smacked batsman George O’Brien on the head. O’Brien swung his bat at Anderson before the pair were separated. Then Anderson broke away, and kicked O’Brien violently in the stomach. Police had to be called. Anderson was banned for life.

 

5. Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc: Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers at Mumbai, 2013/14 

What is it with Australian bowlers and West Indian batsmen? After Pollard flailed at a bouncer, Starc gave him a few choice words. When Starc ran in next ball, Pollard backed away outside leg stump. Starc fired in a 90mph missile at his toes. Pollard was outraged and started to throw his bat. Thankfully an ounce of common sense prevailed and he pulled out, his blade falling limply to the ground.

 

6. Glenn McGrath and Ramnaresh Sarwan: West Indies v Australia at Antigua, 2003/04

Sarwan responded to a McGrath sledge with the crass “ask your wife”. What he didn’t know was that McGrath’s wife, Jane, was ill with cancer at the time. McGrath exploded with rage towards the Guyanese batsman. The pair eventually patched things up after Sarwan’s 105 helped West Indies chase a record 418 to win, with McGrath distraught at how the incident had unfolded.

 

This article was published in our summer issue - check out what's in the latest magazine here.