The Ashes 2023

Former Australian batter rips apart ‘Big mouth’ Ollie Robinson after 1st Test of Ashes 2023

When Ollie Robinson walked towards Usman Khawaja during the first Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston and twice dropped the ‘F’-bomb on him, he succeeded to annoy several former Australian cricketers. Khawaja was dismissed by Robinson in the first innings, and after that, the Australian opener was the target of a foul-mouthed rant from Robinson. As Australia chased down 281 during the fourth innings to edge the Ashes test by two wickets as well as take a 1-0 series lead, Robinson’s strategies failed. 

Some former Australian cricketers, notably Ricky Ponting and then Matthew Hayden, were not pleased with the Robinson-Khawaja incident. It was Hayden’s chance to respond after Ponting criticised Robinson for his comments against him. Robinson was referred to be a “forgettable cricketer” by Hayden during a talk alongside former wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who also gave him a vicious burn. 

He’s got a mouth from the south: Matthew Hayden

The former right-handed batter said, “That’s how you combat England as well. As soon as Pat Cummins started coming at Joe Root and hit a couple of sixes. Then the other bloke; he’s a forgettable cricketer. A fast bowler that is bowling 124 (kph) nude nuts and he’s got a mouth from the south.” When Healy questioned, “Who, Ollie Robinson?”, Hayden answered “Someone like him, you can just go, ‘Brother, I’m coming at ya.'”

Not just Hayden, Ponting also objected to Robinson’s strategies. In retrospect, it’s strange that the renowned Allan Border himself didn’t find the England pacer’s antics amusing considering how Aussies have never been shy about ‘expressing’ themselves on the pitch. Robinson responded angrily, declaring that he was not concerned about the responses his sledge was receiving since such things are unavoidable.

Ollie Robinson said in the press conference in the media that, “It’s my first home Ashes and to get the big wicket at the time was special for me. I think Uzzie played unbelievably well. To get that wicket for us as a team at the time was massive. We all want that theatre of the game, don’t we? So I’m here to provide it,” he said. “I don’t really care how it’s perceived, to be honest. It’s the Ashes. It’s a professional sport. If you can’t handle that, what can you handle?”