There you are King Shergar, with thanks to "wonderful Wikapedia":
"Sledging is a term used in cricket to describe the practice whereby some players seek to gain an advantage by insulting or verbally intimidating the opposing player. The purpose is to try to weaken the opponent's concentration, thereby causing him to make mistakes or underperform."
Not everyone likes it, but this practice is here to stay, and that's that. It is the really quick-witted and intelligent cricketers who benefit most from this. Not all of them have this talent, and they're the ones who suffer most. I only object when it stretches to a player's family; that for me is cowardly and shows that the perpetrator has psychological problems?
As for your other comments. KS, it's tradition, man, it's tradition! Long may it live!