If there was any doubt this Ashes series would be played without verbal fireworks that was all put to bed before halfway through the opening Test at Edgbaston.
England could not (legally) find a way through Usman Khawaja’s defence for eight hours until seamer Ollie Robinson clean bowled the Aussie left-hander with a yorker delivered round the wicket in the morning session of day three.
It led to an explosion of noise from the Edgbaston crowd and from Robinson himself, and you didn’t need to be an expert lip-reader to understand what he told Khawaja as the batter walked back to the dressing sheds with 141 runs to his name.
While Robinson was unapologetic for his behaviour post-play, former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin called it “stupid” and says the Aussie quicks will have taken notice of the Englishman’s antics.
HEAR BRAD HADDIN’S TAKE ON OLLIE ROBINSON’S SEND-OFF ON WILLOW TALK’S DAILY ASHES SHOW – ASHES TALK:
Robinson, who finished with figures of 3-55, said he doesn’t care how it looks.
“It’s my first home Ashes. To get the big wicket at the time was special for me. ‘Uzzy’ (Khawaja) played unbelievably well. To get that wicket for us at the time was massive,” Robinson said.
“We all want that theatre of the game, so I am here to provide it.
“I don’t really care how it is perceived to be honest.
“It’s the Ashes, it’s professional sport. If you can’t handle that, what can you handle?”
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