vic_orthdox said:
If you're playing against an opponent and see a technical weakness, you should be looking to exploit it. If you're playing against an opponent for the first time, you need to test out how his technique handles the outswinger, the yorker, the short ball.
If you're playing against an opponent and notice a mental weakness, you should be looking to exploit it. If you're playing against an opponent for the first time, you need to find out how willing he is for the battle, against the ball and against his own mind.
I agree that a player's playing ability has to be tested.
Regarding mental ability - there are enough mental pressures on the player - the match situation, his personal issue to fight for his place in the team, his financial position which could be affected by the knock he is playing.
Now if the player can muster a score in these pressures against quality opposition, it is good enough.
Why should he have to tolerate sledging from bowlers just because he is trying to play his part in his team? If X was abused by some one on the street, he could slap the guy. Why should he tolerate insults while batting. Its derogatory to the person batting and silly.
Regarding entertainment value - when Warne is bowling to Tendulkar, it is a gripping contest, no words need to be spoken.
When McGrath bowls a superb ball to dismiss batsman X,Y or Z, we appreciate how nagging the guy has been through his spell with his line.
Do we need to know the guy who has so much cricketing skills also has a plethora of sledging lines up his sleeve? Not really.
Sport is exciting enough without sledging matches. Characters can exist without sledging being there.