I’ll state it up front, I’m old school, and I hate the modern version of sledging.

That’s because it’s not sledging, it’s bullying and physical intimidation, it’s personal.

When we are trying to eradicate bullying from our schools, the kids turn on the TV to watch a great sporting contest, they see their sporting heroes acting in a way they are told is wrong. Who are they going to pay attention to? Their teachers or their sporting heroes?

Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke’s “sledging” of James Anderson, that the bowlers “would break his f….. arm” was over the line of what I believe is acceptable, just as Anderson’s comment that prompted that sledge that he’d punch debutant George Bailey was also unacceptable. Why wasn’t that also punished? Well, it seems because it wasn’t captured by the stump microphone. Not good enough.

Neither were David Warner’s comments about Jonathan Trott in a press conference after play. The fact that he was not aware of Trott’s stress-related mental problems makes no difference. When he talks of fear in the eyes of the batters, and Trott’s weak dismissal, he has overstepped the line of what is acceptable. It’s personal, it’s not about technique, it’s about the fact that he was lacking in the manhood stakes.

Let me make it clear that I’m sure the English players aren’t blameless.

It’s not just in sport either; take a look at Question Time in Parliament. It’s degenerated from a chamber of high level debate, to a blood sport, where personal vitriol is hurled from one side of the house to the other. Now. there was a time when sledging on the field was an art form and one that wasn’t a personal attack on the physical wellbeing of the opponent.

Some examples will hopefully display clearly what I’m talking about, and that I’m not just a silly old fart who time has passed by!

• Australia fast bowler Merv Hughes the 1989 Test at Lord's, said to Robin Smith after he played and missed: "You can't ----bat". Next ball, after Smith hit Merv to the fence, the batsman replied: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't ----ing bat and you can't ----ing bowl."
• South Africa’s Daryll Cullinan had a horror time against Leggie Shane Warne in the previous Australia v South Africa series. As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him that he had been waiting two years for another chance to humiliate the South African. The Proteas batsman's response? “Looks like you spent it eating."
• Wicketkeeper Rod Marsh when Ian Botham came to the wicket said, “So how’s your wife & my kids?” We won’t refer to Botham’s reply.
• Michael Atherton during his first tour of Australia, stood his ground during a vociferous appeal for a catch behind. At the end of the over, wicketkeeper Ian Healy walked by, calling Atherton a "----ing cheat". Very politely, Atherton shot back: "When in Rome, dear boy."
• Little remembered English batsman James Ormond’s arrival at the crease prompted Mark Waugh to say “ Look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here? There’s no way you’re good enough to play for England.” Ormond replied: “Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my family.”
• And the portly Sri Lankan Arjuna Ranatunga was facing Shane Warne, and much to the frustration of the Australians refused to advance out of his crease. That prompted Ian Healy to suggest “ Put a mars bar on a good length, that should do it!”

Just a few of many that could have been mentioned. But see what I mean - clever, witty sledging at its best. No personal threats or physical intimidation.

Now that’s what I call sledging.