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The sticky Grout
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Never let anyone tell you that sledging is new. Also, don't entertain people who think that the Aussies representing the modern generation are the best at it.
Wally Grout was a master. Pity that he died in 1968, when he was only 41 years young.
Here are some of the famous 'Grout-assaults':
Grout was keeping wickets when Ted Dexter made his Ashes debut in Sydney, 1959.
Wally's ears caught what Ted said as soon as he came to the crease- "Two laigs, please!"
Gloved hand to mouth, Wally murmured to the slips, "Blue-blooded ones, of course!"
His repartee flashed again when Ken Mackay beat Ted with one that got up quickly from nowhere.
Dexter said, "That was a good ball, Wal."
"Naw,"said Wally as he flipped the ball to slips. "You just made it look good."
Leeds, 1961: Benaud bowled a beauty to Dexter. It pitched on leg, turned considerably before beating the bat by a mile. Then a terrific appeal for caught-behind followed. The umpire was not to be moved, though- a loud 'not out' diffused the appeal.
Wally joined Ted for a drink that evening.
"You didn't really think I hit that one, did you?", asked Lord Ted.
Wally calmly replied, "No no Ted, I was just clearing my throat."
And the best is yet to come....
He also sledged umpires...
Once Grout and umpire Col Egar were riding back into town from the cricket ground in the same car. The car stopped at some traffic lights and Grout said to Col, "You get out here, don't you?"
Col looked out of the window and said, "No, this isn't my hotel."
Grout then read him a traffic sign attached to a post, "Blind pedestrians cross here."