BBC SPORT | Cricket | Famous cricket bust-ups

The recent spat between England's James Foster and Zimbabwe's Andy Flower during a one-day match is by no means an isolated incident in the world of cricket.

International cricket has always been a tougher game than the traditional image of tea and cake on the village green.

And with the onset of "sledging" in the 1970s exchanges of verbal insults between players has become commonplace.

But sometimes those verbals can escalate into more ugly scenes.

Australia v Pakistan 1981: First Test, Perth

Perhaps the most disturbing bust-up was between Australian fast bowler Dennis 'The Menace' Lillee and Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad, himself no shrinking violet.

Miandad was fighting to save a tense Test when he was obstructed by Lillee going for a quick single.

The batsman pushed Lillee who responded by kicking him in the leg.

Rahul Dravid & Michael Slater
Slater loses his temper after decision

Umpire Tony Crafter rushed in to separate Miandad, who was advancing on his opponent with his bat raised over his head, and Lillee, who had adopted a boxer's stance.

Under a new system, the Australian players themselves found Lillee guilty and imposed a small fine.

But he was later suspended for two one-day internationals.

Pakistan v England 1987: Second Test, Faisalabad

England captain Mike Gatting was involved in a famous row with Pakistan umpire Shakoor Rana.

Rana, standing at square leg, stopped play and accused Gatting of moving his field behind the batsman's back during the bowler's run up.

Gatting informed the umpire that the official was, in his opinion, overstepping the mark.

A long bout of face-to-face finger wagging and swearing ensued, which was beamed to television screens throughout the world.

Shakoor refused to play on until he received an apology from Gatting which he eventually got, but not before six hours of play were lost.

England v Sri Lanka 1999: One-day international, Adelaide

England's Darren Gough was involved in a more recent ugly incident against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga had already argued with umpires and led his players from the field in protest at a no-ball call against spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Darren Gough & Roshan Mahanama
Gough aimed a head-butt during the clash

But the match had an explosive finish on resumption with Sri Lankan batsman Roshan Mahanama obstructing Darren Gough from picking up the ball to throw down the wicket.

Gough's appeal against Mahanama was turned down and the England fast bowler responded by feinting a head-butt at the batsman.

India v Australia 2001: First Test, Mumbai

Australia's Michael Slater lost his cool and became involved in a furious exchange of words with Indian batsman Rahul Dravid and the umpires.

Slater was incensed at a ruling that he had not caught Dravid cleanly after the decision was referred to the third umpire.

The Australian opener was summoned to appear before the match referee and was reprimanded for his outburst.


	Links to more Cricket stories