- Dec 2, 2024
- Oct 27, 2023
The Ashes 2023 has been a wonderful treat for cricket fans all around the world. The three Test matches have been high-octane and very intense. The games have all been thrillers and have kept the crowd in England on the edge of their toss. Australia are just ahead of England going into the fourth Test which will be played at Old Trafford, Usman Khawaja has been the standout batter for Australia as he has scored 356 runs in three games at an average of 59.33.
While Khawaja has been soaring high with the bat, it has not been the best of times for him off the field. He opined that the abuse from the crowd on the England and Australian players has hit the rooftops and it has reached an unbearable level. The left-hander was involved in an altercation with three members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The members were suspended and debarred entry shortly afterwards the incident. This happened after the players went back in post the controversial Jonny Bairstow stumping at Lord’s.
Khawaja highlighted that the English crowd had directed some very harsh words towards him and he also said that such incidences would be a concern for young kids who would come to watch cricket in stadiums. “Personally, if I am coming to the cricket and watching the cricket, I wouldn’t want my kids to be around that,” Khawaja said. “If I saw that I would 100 percent make a complaint or just leave. I think some of the stuff can be pretty poor. Over at Edgbaston, they were calling Travis Head a c… you know what. I’m like I can’t believe you can actually say that in a public domain anywhere.” he further added.
Khawaja further went on to say he understood the situation is the same in Australia. Where the Australian crowds harshly abuse some of the English players. He said that such things should not happen and incidents like these should be put to a stop immediately. “It can be a little disappointing at times, and I think we can take it too far in Australia. I’m not a big fan of it. I know watching a lot of sport and loving sport that it happens around the world. You watch the NBA [and] it happens there. Particularly when crowds can get real close to you, which they can in cricket. It is what it is, I don’t agree with it.” The 36-year-old added.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
Time to own these English crowns and seal the ashes
— GOATzema (@Hasta_El_Madrid) July 17, 2023
Just some developed nation stuff☕
— Shray Budania (@BudaniaShray) July 17, 2023
Where is the security?
— Sarthak (@joelgarson) July 17, 2023
Most useless crowd
— Rakhi Rakhi Rakhi Na Kavvasaaki (@Rakhi_Memes) July 17, 2023
I think there was a recent report that England has widespread racism and class discrimination. This isn't surprising at all.
— Sameer K. (@Sameer_knl18) July 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/snoopertroopers/status/1681058253982015488?s=20
Remember when the English crowd were throwing bottle corks on KL Rahul and racially abusing Siraj when we toured them in 2021? I find it hypocritical when the English fans speak like they are the flag bearers of the gentleman's game 🙃
— Vivek._.M (@Viv666viV) July 17, 2023
Ironic Coming from kangaroo's
— A (@18_kattar) July 17, 2023
Shame on England crowd
— GoViNd~Op! (@GOVINDOP45) July 17, 2023
Usman khawaja is true af, this seem becoming a obsessive problem everywhere, when home team getting pushed back at very moment in the game, fans start booing the guest team, reaction from MCC members a are even worse.#Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/8rDuThLGh8
— Abhishek🎀 (@heyabheee) July 18, 2023