In the August edition of Wisden Cricket Monthly leading writers were asked to give their opinion on sledging. Recently retired, Angus Fraser gives a player's view It is late in the afternoon. I am hot, sweaty and knackered as I start my 21st over. The batsman, on 73 not out, has for the sixth time today edged me, at a catchable height, through the slips for four runs. I had him out plumb lbw when he was on 16 but the bloody umpire said it did too much. Did too much? It was knocking middle stump out of the ground. But it is pointless taking my anger out on the umpire. It will get me nowhere and could hit me in the pocket.

As the ball rolls over the boundary rope, I'm at boiling point. I have three options:

1) Ignore the injustice of it all again and accept the day as part of life's rich tapestry.

2) Say "good shot old chap" and walk back to my mark.

3) Get all my frustrations out at once and utter something along the lines of: "You spawny git, how much arse can one man have in a day, if I was you I'd go and buy a lottery ticket. That bat of yours has got more edges than a broken pisspot"

Since I am fiercely competitive and hacked off, the first two options don't enter my head. No. 3 is shouted uncontrollably at the annoyance of seeing the batsman with a smirk on his face. I hope he says something back because I have another line up my sleeve. If he's sensible though he will keep quiet. I have lost focus and he is in control.

There is nothing wrong with the odd exchange of views on a cricket field. Spontaneous reactions to such situations should not be encouraged but accepted as part and parcel of competitive sport. Who can forget the stage set by Allan Donald's "tête-a-tête" with Mike Atherton at Trent Bridge in 1998?

Most of these altercations are harmless, laughed about at close of play and add spice to a dull day. The bark of all bowlers is worse than their bite.

Of course, there is pre-meditated personal, racist and generally abusive sledging that teams employ as a deliberate part of a game-plan to undermine a player they think is vulnerable. That does need to be kicked out of the game. It is universally accepted that a bowler's job is to make the batsman as uncomfortable as possible – but that should be down to his skill with the ball in his hand not the tongue in his mouth.

Click here to subscribe to Wisden Cricket Monthly

The August 2002 edition of Wisden Cricket Monthly is on sale at all good newsagents in the UK and Ireland, priced £3.25

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd