Round 2! Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja exchange words during a tense drinking break on the final day of the dramatic first Ashes Test as England star Jimmy Anderson is forced to separate the pair
Ollie Robinson once again addressed Usman Khawaja in Edgbaston in what seemed like a back and forth during the drinking break on day five of the first Ashes Test.
Robinson endured much criticism from the Australian media and public over the weekend following his vociferous celebrations in the face of the Aussie opener after dismissing him for 141 runs in the first innings.
The pumped-up England bowler appeared to say to Khawaja, ‘F*** off, you f***ing p***k’ after taking his wicket, a response that did not go down well with fans and pundits Down Under .
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 was baffled by the incident.
However, with everything on the line heading into a dramatic final day at Edgbaston, words were exchanged between Khawaja and Robinson over drinks on Tuesday afternoon, with both men eager to play a vital part in the outcome of the opening test.
Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja exchanged words on the final day in Edgbaston
The England bowler came under fire for an insult directed against the Aussie earlier in the Test
According to Sky Sports, Khawaja was heard saying, “What did your mate say?”
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.
The exchange didn’t seem too hostile, with the English smiling and laughing as they walked away, while reports suggest Robinson patted the batsman on the back as they returned to the wicket.
“I don’t really care how it’s perceived,” Robinson said of the first incident. It’s the Ashes, it’s professional sports. If you can’t handle that, what can you handle?
“If you’re in the heat of the moment and have the passion of the Ashes, that can happen. We’ve all seen Ricky Ponting and other Aussies do that to us, so just because the shoe is on the other foot doesn’t make it well received.
“For me it’s my first home Ashes and to get the big wicket at the time was special for me. Getting that wicket for the team was huge. We all want that theater of play and I’m here to provide it.’
But the pair appeared to be patching things up on Tuesday afternoon with tensions high
When asked if he expected to be reprimanded by the match umpire, Robinson replied, “I’m not going to comment on that.”
Despite their media groans, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey insisted his team had no issues with Robinson.
“Usman didn’t say anything,” he said. ‘It’s the Ashes, sometimes it will be quite exciting and hostile cricket. I didn’t see anything over the top there. There was no comment from our dressing room.’