AUS vs ENG: "Give Any Australian The Opportunity And They Will Do The Same" - Mark Butcher Defends Ollie Robinson Amidst Criticism From Australia Legends

Published - 24 Jun 2023, 07:11 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Photo Credit: (Getty Images)

The first Ashes Test at Edgbaston turned into a fiercely contested battle, igniting tensions between England and Australia. However, the intensity of the match was overshadowed by a controversial incident involving England’s fast bowler, Ollie Robinson.

In a series of unfortunate events, Ollie Robinson found himself at the center of a heated controversy that not only ruffled feathers but also tainted his own reputation.

During the match, Ollie Robinson’s on-field behavior took a regrettable turn when he directed a series of expletives towards Australian batsman Usman Khawaja on two separate occasions. The animosity between the two players escalated further when Khawaja was dismissed in the first innings. Overwhelmed by his emotions, Robinson unleashed a string of offensive insults aimed at the Australian opener. Unfortunately for Robinson, his attempt to unnerve Khawaja and gain a psychological advantage through provocative tactics backfired spectacularly.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “The Other Bloke, He Is A Forgettable Cricketer” – Matthew Hayden Rips Into Ollie Robinson Following Crude Display At Edgbaston

The verbal warfare between Robinson and Khawaja continued in the second innings, with Ollie Robinson persisting in his provocative attempts. However, the Australian team demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination, successfully chasing down a challenging target of 281 runs in the fourth innings. This impressive victory propelled Australia to a 1-0 lead in the highly anticipated Ashes series, rendering Robinson’s disruptive efforts futile.

The repercussions of Ollie Robinson’s conduct on the field were significant, attracting substantial scrutiny and criticism, particularly from esteemed Australian cricketing figures such as Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Ian Healy. His use of offensive language and aggressive demeanor not only marred his own reputation but also garnered disapproval from former Australian cricketers who deemed his actions unsportsmanlike.

The Aussies Do The Same With Us: Ollie Robinson

The ongoing exchange of verbal sparring between ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting and England’s fast bowler Ollie Robinson has garnered significant interest from fans and experts. Joining the discussion, former England batsman Mark Butcher expressed his views, pointing out that it is the Australians who seize every opportunity to engage in such exchanges.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “The English Media Will Jump On You Like No Other” – Tim Paine Describes The Ruthless Side Of English Media Against Australia

“There has been a lot of chatter in the aftermath of the first Test. Ricky Ponting has, of course, put the needle in – just give him, or any Australian great, the opportunity to do so and they will take it.”

“I spent an enormous amount of my career, nearly all of it in fact, getting beaten by Australian teams with no mercy. So the idea that you would almost offer up some sort of spectacle for people, with the result not mattering too much, it doesn’t sit very well with me,”

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “I Was Like Take It Deep, Take It As Far As You Can” – Usman Khawaja Talks About Batting All 5 Days During Opening Ashes Test At Edgbaston

Ollie Robinson has also come out and defended his actions and named Ponting in his statement. “We’ve all seen Ricky Ponting and other Aussies do the same to us, and just because the shoe is on the other foot it’s not received well,” Robinson had said.