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Gilly reveals funniest sledge he's heard

Legendary gloveman opens up on an amusing dig on former Test teammate Matthew Hayden's culinary prowess

Legendary Australia gloveman Adam Gilchrist has revealed one of the funniest sledges he's heard on a cricket field, and threw a little jab of his own at the victim.

Having played 96 Tests and 300 limited-overs matches at the elite level, Gilchrist would have heard and dished out myriad sledges from teammates and opponents.

But when asked what the was best piece of banter he heard from beyond the boundary, the game-changing wicketkeeper-batsman plucked one involving his long-term ODI opening partner Matthew Hayden.

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"Believe it or not, even standing in the middle … I happen to hear everything with listeners this big," Gilchrist told cricket.com.au pointing to his ears at the XXXX Goldie season launch in Brisbane.

"The best sledge I heard from being on the field was when Matty Hayden, at the SCG, was out on the boundary. 

"He misfielded, he didn't get any runs and some bloke in the (crowd) yelled out 'You're rubbish Haydos. You didn't score enough runs, you fumbled that'. 

"And also, and Haydos had just released a cook book, he said 'Your lasagna's rubbish'. 

"I reckon that's fair call because Haydos's cooking is very average. He'll think it's good but it's average."

Image Id: DA84043A2FD64E249AD4C333712A6F73 Image Caption: Hayden and Gilchrist during the 2007 World Cup // Getty

Sledging has been a hot topic in the past week after Australia vice-captain David Warner likened playing in the Magellan Ashes to war and that there will "definitely be some words exchanged" between the two combatants. 

Warner told cricket.com.au that he "might wind the clock back" and push the boundaries as he so often flirted with during the early stages of his career.

While the explosive batsman's words have been labelled "pathetic" by former England opener Marcus Trescothick, Gilchrist doesn't believe there's anything sinister in Warner's comments. 

"A lot is said and written about what Dave Warner has said," Gilchrist said.

"I read into that more not that Dave was going to come out and abuse people and swear and curse, I read into that that he's just really looking forward to a really intense fight and extreme battle. 

"That's fine, I think most players want that. 

"It makes a good headline but I haven't read too much into it. 

"You can be rest assured both teams will be going flat out trying their best and usually if you're reverting to abusing someone you've lost the battle."

Behind the scenes of Aussie team's kit launch

As is custom with practically all wicketkeepers, Gilchrist didn't mind the odd chirp from behind the stumps to unsettle a batsman.

But he says sledging made him feel uncomfortable for fear of immediate backfire. 

"My personal philosophy was I didn't go looking for a fight," he said. 

"The moment words left my mouth I was nervous, whether that was with bat or gloves.

"I just felt that I could drop a catch after saying something or I could get out next ball. 

"But that certainly didn't mean I shied away from something if it flared up. 

"I was no angel out there but some player types go looking for it. 

"Matthew Hayden thrived on a bit of spice. Brian Lara loved a battle."

Gilchrist is a XXXX Gold Ambassador this summer, endorsing The Goldie, a tech-enabled golden cricket cap, designed to reward fans for coming together.

There are 6000 cricket-related prizes valued at $350,000 up for grabs through the XXXX Gold app, while fans in the crowd can win $10,000 by catching a six while wearing the cap. The competition is open to over 18s only.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series


First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets


Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets


Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets


Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets


Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets


ODI Series v England


First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets


Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets


Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets


Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets


Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF


Prime Minister's XI


PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets


T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series


First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets


Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets


Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets


Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13


Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16


Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18


Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21