Round 2! Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja exchange words during tense drinks break on final day of dramatic first Ashes Test as England star Jimmy Anderson is forced to separate the pair
Ollie Robinson directed words towards Usman Khawaja once more at Edgbaston in what appeared a back-and-forth during the drinks break on Day Five of the first Ashes Test.
Robinson copped widespread criticism from the Australian media and public over the weekend after 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 tell Khawaja to, ‘F*** off, you f***ing p***k’ after taking his wicket, a reaction that did not go down well with fans and pundits Down Under.
Robinson insisted that the slur was tame given the history of sledges sent back-and-forth between players from both nations over the years, while Khawaja himself was nonplussed by the incident.
However, with everything on the line heading into a dramatic final day at Edgbaston, words were exchanged between Khawaja and Robinson at drinks on Tuesday afternoon, with both men eager to play a crucial role into the outcome of the opening Test.
Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja exchanged words on the final day at Edgbaston
The English bowler came under fire for a slur directed at the Aussie earlier in the Test
According to Sky Sports, Khawaja was heard saying: ‘What did you say mate?’
Robinson responded: ‘I don’t know what you’re on about.’
Veteran bowler Jimmy Anderson, noticing the pair engaged in back-and-forth, stepped in to intervene.
The exchange didn’t appear too hostile, with the Englishmen smiling and laughing as they walked away, while reports suggest Robinson patted the batter 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 sport. If you can’t handle that, what can you handle?
‘When 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, it’s not received well.
‘For me, it’s my first home Ashes and to get the big wicket at the time was special for me. To get that wicket for the team was massive. We all want that theatre of the game and I am here to provide it.’
But the pair appeared to patch things up with tensions high on Tuesday afternoon
Asked if he expected to be reprimanded by the match referee, Robinson replied: ‘I am not going to comment on that.’
Despite the moans of their media, Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey insisted his team had no issues with Robinson.
‘Usman hasn’t said anything,’ he said. ‘It’s the Ashes, at times it will be pretty exciting and hostile cricket. I didn’t see anything over the top there. From our dressing room, there was no comment.’
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