Usman Khawaja’s perfect riposte as Ashes sledging feud erupts again

Usman Khawaja’s heated battle with Ollie Robinson roared back into life on Day 5 at Edgbaston, as tensions boiled over in the thrilling finale.

Usman Khawaja’s bitter battle with England paceman Ollie Robinson roared back into life on Day 5 at Edgbaston, as tensions boiled over in the thrilling finale to the first Ashes Test.

Robinson had given the Aussie a fiery send-off in the first innings after dismissing him for 141, telling him to: “F*** off you f***ing prick.”

The pair came together again on a drinks break early on the final day.

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As the Aussie batters went to fetch their drinks, Robinson walked behind the Aussie and sent some words his way, seemingly some sarcastic advice – but it was Khawaja’s response that got the better of the exchange with the stump mics picking up his brutal reply: “That’s why you’re not a batsman.”

Jimmy Anderson – for so long one of England’s most fiery players – played a surprise peacemaker role as he guided Robinson away.

Decent amount of back and forth between Robinson and Khawaja going into that drinks break. Didn't look all that friendly initially, but after a drink they were both smiling again and Khawaja got a pat on the back from Robinson #Ashes

— Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) June 20, 2023

"That's why you're not a batsman" could be heard on the stump mic by Khawaja in that exchange with Ollie Robinson.

Even after sending him off on 141, Robinson seems to have yet more batting advice for Khawaja. #Ashespic.twitter.com/HnoL3piRhC

— Justin Edwards (@JEdwardsFOX) June 20, 2023

Bit more (probably one-sided) chat between Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja before drinks. Jimmy Anderson an unlikely peacemaker, then Marais Erasmus had a word with Robinson during the break

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) June 20, 2023

Interesting little exchange as the players got together for the drinks break. Ollie Robinson seemed to be having some words with Travis Head and Jimmy Anderson actually pulled him away. Weren’t too many smiles involved #Ashes

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 20, 2023

“Uzzie doesn’t back down either at any point,” Aaron Finch said on Channel Nine, calling it: “Good hard Ashes Test cricket and you wouldn’t expect any different.”

The fallout from Robinson’s X-rated spray at Khawaja earlier in the Test has been one of the biggest talking points of the match, with Robinson defending his actions by saying: “I don’t really care how it was perceived – it’s the Ashes, it’s professional sport, if you can’t handle that what can you handle?”

He added: “When you’re in the heat of the moment and you have the passion of the Ashes that can happen.

“I think we’ve all seen Ricky Ponting and other Aussies do the same to us, and just because the boot’s on the other foot it’s not received well.”

Dragging the Australian great into the debate led to no small amount of chatter in recent days, with Ponting himself responding.

Robinson continued to go after Usman. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Ponting said Robinson was openly sledging Australia’s “nicest” player and warned him that some English players’ true colours could be exposed over the course of the five-Test clash.

Ponting gave Robinson a partial pass due to the context of the game at the time. He was struggling for a wicket, and Khawaja was the man to get.

“A lot of this stuff happens in the heat of battle. The only thing I‘d say with Ollie yesterday is Khawaja was on 140, Robinson hadn’t looked like getting a wicket all day, and he’s just sledged probably the nicest man that’s ever walked on the planet,” Ponting told Sky Sports in Birmingham.

Ponting acknowledged the contrasting actions on the field, as Joe Root, England’s captain, approached Khawaja to shake his hand and commend his performance while Robinson delivered a send-off.

“That’s the contrast of maybe a bowler who is toiling away and is a little bit frustrated, and a fielder that sat back and watched a really good Test match innings,” he added.

Originally published as Usman Khawaja’s perfect riposte as Ashes sledging feud erupts again