How Ollie Robinson’s sledging of Australia’s tail backfired as Lyon starred in Ashes first Test win
How Ollie Robinson’s cocky sledding of Australia’s tail kept haunting him as Nathan Lyon starred in tourist’s all-time great Ashes win
- The English bowler did not rate the lower order of tourists
- Bowlers Cummins, Lyon won Test for Aussies
- The second test begins at Lord’s on June 28
Fiery England bowler Ollie Robinson’s criticism of Australia’s lower batsmen exploded in his face as Nathan Lyon teamed up with skipper Pat Cummins on Tuesday for one of the biggest ever Ashes Test victories.
The pacesetter lashed out at the tourists at stumps on day three at Edgbaston, saying England felt their opponents had a weakness that could be exploited after the Aussies’ three tail men were dismissed for just two runs in total.
“It’s something we talked about as a group — we said that as soon as we got over it [Pat] Cummins, we feel like they have three No.11s,” he said, referring to Lyon, Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood.
Robinson probably wished he could take those words back after Lyon (16 not out) combined with Cummins (44 not out) to send the men in baggy green to one of the most thrilling Ashes Test victories in memory.
Lyon’s 16 not out was the most important innings of his career as he and Pat Cummins combined to lead the Aussies to victory for years before celebrating wildly (pictured)
Ollie Robinson – who became the villain of the first Test for Aussie fans – had previously dismissed Australia’s tailmen, saying the tourists had ‘three No.11s’ with them
The 29-year-old was also heavily criticized by Aussie fans for celebrating his dismissal of Usman Khawaja in the first innings by telling the batsman ‘f**k off, you f**king pr**k’.
Robinson insisted the slur was tame given the history of sleds being sent back and forth between players from both countries over the years, while Khawaja himself seemed unfazed by the incident.
The pair clashed again during the final day’s play, exchanging words during the drinking break.
According to Sky Sports, Khawaja was heard saying, “What did you say, mate?”
Robinson replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Veteran bowler Jimmy Anderson, noticing the pair going back and forth, stepped in to intervene.
Cummins declared the triumph ‘the number one’ moment of his career after his unbeaten 44 sent his side to a monumental victory on Tuesday.
Robinson had a second encounter with Usman Khawaja in Australia’s second innings after making headlines when he gave the batsman a foul-mouthed spray after taking his wicket in the first
You little fucking ripper! Cummins couldn’t contain his joy after leading his team to a victory he called the first moment of his career
The Aussie skipper said Lyon were ‘really cold’ during their chase, despite the enormous pressure they were under
Chasing 281 for victory, Australia had looked out of the Test as they fell to 8-227 early in the final hour after the dismissals of Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey appeared to have ruined their chances.
But Cummins then took the lead and tied with Nathan Lyon for a 55-run tie to take Australia to their most thrilling victory with 4.3 overs remaining in the match.
It was nerve-wracking stuff, and Cummins admitted, “When we got to maybe 16 to win and we needed two, I was very confident, but it felt almost from the first session of day one, it was 50-50 all the way along until about 15 minutes to go.
“For me it’s number one – the start of an Ashes series. Yes, the number one.’
Cummins sealed the victory when he guided an Ollie Robinson ball to the third man boundary and Harry Brook spilled it over the rope.
Lyon’s 16 was undoubtedly the most valuable innings of his long career.
‘Nath was great, he was very relaxed – he was quite talkative out there. It helped me and it helped him,” Cummins said.