England fast bowler Ollie Robinson has escaped with a warning following his send-off of Usman Khawaja during the first Test at Edgbaston, which Australia won in dramatic fashion on Tuesday.
Match referee Andy Pycroft took no official action against Robinson and the International Cricket Council said it did not comment on referee’s decisions when questioned by this masthead.
However, sources close to the match officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that it was considered a “borderline case”.
“It was felt to be an exaggerated celebration rather than a send-off,” the source claimed.
Robinson’s celebration, after bowling Khawaja for 141 on Saturday, included him saying “f— off, you f—— p—k”.
While referee Pycroft took no official action against Robinson, he fined recalled spinner Moeen Ali 25 per cent of his match free for spraying a healing agent on his damaged spinning finger, and fined every player 40 per cent of their match frees when England and Australia were found to be behind their over rates.
Ollie Robinson exchanges words with Usman Khawaja on the final day of the first Test.Credit: Getty
Following the Test Khawaja, who was named player of the match, claimed he did not hear Robinson.
Nor did Khawaja want to discuss the exchange between him and Robinson during a drinks break on the final day.
“The other day, the crowd was so loud I had no idea,” Khawaja said. “Today (Tuesday) there was nothing much in it. Just a bit of friendly banter. This game was played in pretty good spirits for most of it.
“It’s not just about winning, it’s about how we win, which has changed a lot from past years I played cricket. I think the game was played in pretty good spirits.
Khawaja was named player of the match on the back of his first Test century on English soil.Credit: Getty
“There wasn’t much in it. There’s no point in me talking about it.”
While the England players gathered in a huddle for drinks on the last afternoon, Robinson walked over to Khawaja and his batting partner Travis Head. Stump mics picked up Robinson suggesting that Khawaja was too defensive, saying “a freebie, isn’t it? A half-volley with the field up”.
Khawaja replied to the bowler: “There’s rough there. Not hitting that. That’s why you’re not a batsman”.
Robinson added that it was “nice to see you say something back” and Khawaja suggested Robinson should “be careful”, an apparent reference to his earlier send-off.
Jimmy Anderson, once England’s chief sledger, walked over, grabbed Robinson, and guided him back to the team huddle. Umpire Marais Erasmus then walked into the England huddle during drinks and spoke to Robinson. When the huddle broke up Robinson wandered over to Khawaja, spoke to him in conciliatory fashion, and patted the Australian on the back.
Khawaja later declined to say whether Robinson had apologised.
The International Cricket Council’s code of conduct, section 2.5, prohibits any kind of “send-off” including “verbally abusing the dismissed batter”.
It is a level one offence that can attract a fine of up to 50 per cent of a player’s match fee if the player is charged and pleads or is found guilty. England’s player match fees are £15,000 ($28,000).
Robinson justified his actions after play on Sunday by claiming that former Australian captain Ricky Ponting and other Australians had abused England players in the past.
“When you’re in the heat of the moment and have the passion of the Ashes, that can happen,” Robinson said. “We’ve all seen Ricky Ponting and other Aussies do the same to us. Just because the shoe’s on the other foot, it’s not received well.
“It’s my first home Ashes and to get the big wicket at the time was special for me. Uzzie played unbelievably well and to get that wicket for us at the time as a team was massive. We all want that theatre of the game, don’t we, and I’m here to provide it.”
Ponting, who is in England commentating, was annoyed with Robinson for implicating him in the sledging furore.
“A lot of this stuff happens in the heat of battle,” Ponting told Sky Sports. “The only thing I’d say with Ollie is Khawaja was 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.”
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