See what Aussie star Usman Khawaja said as he hit Ollie Robinson with a brilliant comeback after Ashes’ ‘bad guy’ attacked him again after his headline-grabbing F-bomb outburst
Standout Australian batsman Usman Khawaja has the last laugh at Ashes ‘bad guy’ Ollie Robinson as the pair clashed for a second time during the Test at Edgbaston.
England fast Robinson was criticized by Aussie fans and some sections of the media after his blunt rebuff as he rejected the Aussie opener for 141 – and on day five, with the result on the line, the duo once again went toe to toe .
Before drinks in the rain-delayed first session, Robinson suggested that Khawaja was batting with a defensive mindset as Pat Cummins’ men chased 281 for the win.
He was overheard saying, ‘A freebie, isn’t it? Half a volley with the field up’, criticizing the Aussie for not being aggressive enough
Khawaja was having none of it.
Australian batsman Usman Khawaja had the last laugh at Ashes ‘bad guy’ Ollie Robinson as the first test at Edgbaston went down to the wire
Robinson (pictured celebrating after winning the wicket from Cameron Green on day five of the first Ashes Test) is a ruthless competitor and insisted the exchange wasn’t personal
“There’s rough there. Don’t hit that. That’s why you’re not a batsman,’ he shot back.
Fellow English pacemaker Jimmy Anderson – who in his heyday was a master at mentally sidelining opponents – stepped in as a peacemaker when the situation threatened to escalate.
Umpire Marais Erasmus was also spotted telling Robinson to keep calm when the drink was called for moments later.
After telling Khawaja, “F**k off, you f**king p***k!” after taking his wicket in the first innings, Robinson said it was just a heated exchange.
“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.
Khawaja put Robinson in his place, pointing out the lack of punch of the excited rapid
“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.”
Wicket-keeper Alex Carey insisted the Aussies had no problem with Robinson.
“Usman didn’t say anything,” he said.
“It’s the Ashes, sometimes it will be quite exciting and hostile cricket,” he said. “I didn’t see anything over the top there.”
The second Test at Lord’s begins on June 28.