Cricket Australia Furious! Usman Khawaja in trouble over "Piece of Sh**" remark on Perth pitch

Usman Khawaja is expected to be ready for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, but his blunt remarks about the Perth surface have created a stir. After calling the day-one pitch at Perth Stadium a “piece of s***,” the opener is likely to face an inquiry from Cricket Australia, who is seeking clarification over his comments.

Usman Khawaja did not open in either innings of the first Test, as he had not spent enough time back on the field to be eligible to bat. Australia began their innings with Marnus Labuschagne and debutant Jake Weatherald. Khawaja eventually came in at No. 4 but scored only two runs.

Day one produced 19 wickets across both teams, similar to the heavily bowler-friendly opening seen against India the previous year. However, ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle still rated the pitch as “very good.”

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

The Same Thing Happened Last Year in the India Test - Usman Khawaja

Speaking at an event for his foundation, Usman Khawaja criticized the Perth surface. He said the pitch behaved similarly during the opening day of the India Test the previous year. Khawaja added that even Steven Smith struggled and was repeatedly hit.

"Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit, that's a great wicket - that seems real fair," Khawaja said.

"The same thing happened last year in the Indian Test, it's just that day one wicket, the ball just does not react. Steve Smith's by far the best cricketer I've ever played with and he's missing the middle of his bat by a long way - he does not miss the middle of his bat. He's getting hit in the elbow, he's getting hit."

Day-One Perth Wicket Is a Piece of S**** - Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja said that the unpredictable bounce on day one made batting extremely difficult. He described the first-day pitch as “a piece of s***.” Khawaja added that the wicket usually improves on days two and three before breaking up again later in the match.

"You can't really predict up and down. Up and down is the hardest - sideways is a little bit easier but up and down your hands can't catch up. So day one wicket at [Perth] is a piece of s***, I'm happy to say that," Khawaja continued.

"It has been last year, it was this year. They do get better. Day two, day three, and then day four, they start to crack up," he added.

Cricket Australia to Seek Explanation Over Usman Khawaja’s Pitch Criticism

Cricket Australia plans to speak with Usman Khawaja about his comment calling the Perth pitch “a piece of s***.” Officials, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, were not pleased with what he said, even though they have not addressed it publicly.

They do not want to distract him before the second Test at the Gabba, but they still expect to ask him for an explanation once he joins the team. Only after that will they decide if any action is needed.

Australia have kept the same squad for the next Test. The players will meet in Brisbane on Sunday, where an optional training session will be held at the Gabba. Australia, who hold a 1-0 lead in the series, will begin the second Test against Ben Stokes-led England on December 4.

Also read: Shocking! Sydney Thunder denied win as umpires stop match 3 runs short; Phoebe Litchfield explodes