England fast bowler Ollie Robinson defended himself after being brutally criticised by a certain section of fans for giving an abusive send-off to Australia's opening batter Usman Khawaja on Day 3 of the ongoing first Ashes Test match at Edgbaston. The right-arm pacer delivered a brilliant yorker and uprooted Khawaja's stump that ultimately helped the Three Lions to close out Australia's innings before lunch on Day 3. Upon picking Khawaja's wicket, an animated Robinson told Khawaja to, "F*** off, you f***ing prick."
Khawaja was Robinson's first of three wickets and the English bowler was chuffed to bits. His excessive reaction drew flak on social media as fans unleashed on Robinson. The right-arm pacer, however, remained unfazed by the criticism and said he 'doesn't care' how certain fans perceive his actions.
"It's my first home Ashes and to get the big wicket at the time was special for me," Robinson said.
"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 added.
Robinson further claimed that criticism leveled at him was unwarranted as Australian players have done the same to England in the past. He even cited the example of former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting and said he doesn't care how the opposition players perceive his actions. The English bowler admitted that the incident took place in the heat of the moment and agreed that abusive celebrations don't form a part of the theatre of the game.
"No, it's not. But I think when you're in the heat of the moment and you have the passion of the Ashes, that can happen. We've all seen Ricky Ponting, other Aussies do the same to us. Just because the shoe is on the other foot, it's not received well," Robinson continued said.
"I don't really care how it's perceived, to be honest. It's the Ashes. It's professional sport. If you can't handle that, what can you handle?" he added.
England found themselves teetering at 28/2 against Australia before rain hindered Day 3's play in the Ashes 2023 series opener at Edgbaston on Sunday (June 18). After bundling out Australia for 386, England openers kicked off their second innings with a seven-run lead but before Zack Crawley and Ben Duckett could settle, Australian bowlers sent the English opening back to the pavilion. At the end of Day 3's play England are reeling at 28/2 with 35-run lead over Australia as first innings centurion Joe Root and Ollie Pope are intact on the crease without opening their run account.
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