Darren Gough reveals his worst ever Ashes sledge plus other iconic fiery moments between England and Australia

Darren Gough has revealed the worst sledge that he experienced during his Ashes career – and it’s rather a surprising choice.

Gough enjoyed a fine England career with one of his crowning moments being an Ashes hat-trick in Sydney in January 1999.

AFP

He regularly came head-to-head with the Aussie batsmen but the former fast bowler believes the worst sledge he ever received was actually David Boon not saying anything to him at all.

Boon was an Australian great and someone who Gough looked up to, so to have him just stare at him was unsettling for the Yorkshireman.

Interestingly, Gough believes that sledging as a whole is overrated, and that is why Boon staring him down worked so well.

In an exclusive interview with talkSPORT.com, he said: “I think sledging is the biggest con that has been talked about for years and years because the sledgers will go back and forth, and it will just be a different name added to a sledge.

“There is a little bit in the battle, but to be honest, you don’t really register it because they are more one-liners than anything else.

“The best sledge to me was from someone like David Boon because growing up in the 80s and watching Ashes cricket, Boon was a huge character for Australia.

“So when I came out to bat in my first Test in Brisbane, I had already got him out, he was my first Ashes wicket, which was very special.

“And when he was at short-leg, I just wanted to talk to him, and every time I talked to him, he just stared me down and didn’t say anything – he just looked at me.

“So that was the best sledge because that was probably the only time I have been intimidated my whole life because he never said anything, and I am just a friendly bloke who wants to talk, and he never said a word to me in five Test matches.”

Getty

However, Boon was very different when it wasn’t The Ashes.

Gough added: “I played against him for Yorkshire against Durham, and he’s the nicest man I’ve ever met.

“After the game, I had a beer with him, talked to him, and I have total respect for him, but when I played in The Ashes, he never spoke a word in five Test matches.

“So, the worst sledge was a no-sledge.

“Steve Waugh said to me I was a champagne player on a beer budget when I came out to bat in Sydney – I think I smashed 50 in that game.

“It probably got me going. So stuff like that and one-liners from Matthew Hayden about my pace when I was 35 and past it, but other than that, it never really bothered me.”

As much as Gough thinks sledging is a myth, there have been some truly excellent ones in The Ashes.

talkSPORT.com has looked back at some incredible moments from one of the best sporting rivalries in the world…

Getty

McGrath vs Atherton

Glenn McGrath is one of the great Ashes players and a villain to England.

He had a particularly good record when Michael Atherton was batting, and on one occasion, he got the opener big time.

McGrath: “Hey, Athers, it would help if you got rid of the s*** at the end of your bat.”

Atherton looks at the bottom of his bat.

McGrath: “No, mate, the other end.”

Broad vs Carey

In the summer of 2023, Alex Carey became public enemy number one at Lord’s when he controversially stumped Jonny Bairstow.

It helped Australia win the Test, but Broad tore into the wicketkeeper.

Broad to Carey: “That’s all you’re ever going to be remembered for, that.

“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen in cricket.”

Clarke vs Anderson

This one wasn’t so much witty, in fact, it wasn’t at all, but it does show the rivalry and tension in an Ashes series.

With James Anderson batting, Australia captain Michael Clarke said something that later got him charged.

Clarke to Anderson: “Get ready for a broken f****** arm.”

Anderson vs Johnson

Anderson and Mitchell Johnson came head-to-head in 2011 in Perth, and Johnson became a figure of ridicule for the Barmy Army.

The chant was: “He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right… Mitchell Johnson, his bowling is s****.”

And Anderson brilliantly answered Johnson’s sledge in the best way.

Johnson to Anderson: “Why are you chirping now, mate? You’re not getting wickets.”

The England legend then bowled Ryan Harris with his next delivery and turned and shushed Johnson – pure cinema.

The Second Ashes Test of the 2025/26 series takes place at The Gabba this week as England look to hit back following their heavy defeat in Perth.