Whose line is it anyway?

Over the years, cricket's oldest rivalry - the Ashes - have thrown some juiciest remarks on and off the cricket field. With the 2009 Ashes, starting from July 8, it's time to revisit the classics. Here's a low down on some of the funniest showdown or is it...

Rod Marsh & Ian Botham: When Botham took guard in an Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: “So how’s your wife and my kids?

Robin Smith & Merv Hughes: During 1989 Lord’s Test Hughes said to Smith after he played & missed: “You can’t f**king bat”. Smith (Right) to Hughes after he smacked him to the boundary: “Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can’t f**king bat & you can’t f**king bowl.

James Ormond of England had just come out to bat on an Ashes tour and was greeted by Mark Waugh…
Mark Waugh (Left): “F*ck me, look who it is? Mate, what are you doing out here, there’s no way you're good enough to play for England. James Ormond: “Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my family.

Despite my reputation as a bit of a cricket anorak, I’m not a huge one for history.
— Ricky Ponting

We had to listen to his verbal diarrhoea all the time. He is just a goose and has no idea and lacks common sense.
— Shane Warne on John Buchanan

If you’re playing against the Australians, you don’t walk.
— Ian Botham

In my day 58 beers between London and Sydney would have virtually classified you as a teetotaller.
— Ian Chappell

The aim of English cricket is, in fact, mainly to beat Australia.
— Jim Laker

I’ve not travelled 6,000 miles to make friends. I’m here to win the Ashes.
— Douglas Jardine

I’ll bowl you a f****** piano, you Pommie poof, let’s see if you can play that.
— Merv Hughes (Left) to Michael Atherton

I think I was saying 3-0 or 4-0 about 12 months ago, thinking there might be a bit of rain around. But with the weather as it is at the moment, I have to say 5-0.
Glenn McGrath made his now famous 2005 Ashes series prediction, which Australia went on to lose 1-2

After the ball which Raman Subba Row had dropped off Fred Trueman's bowling had gone for four. Subba Row (Left): I’m sorry about that, it might have been better if I had kept my legs together. Trueman: Aye, it’s a pity your mother didn’t!