Usman Khawaja is expected to be ready for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba but his blunt comments about Perth’s surface have caused a stir. After calling the pitch a “piece of s***” on day one at Perth Stadium, the opener is likely to face an investigation from Cricket Australia, which 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 on the field to be eligible to bat. Australia started their innings with Marnus Labuschagne and debutant Jake Weatherald. Khawaja eventually came in at number 4, but scored only two points.
Day one produced 19 wickets for both teams, similar to the heavily bowler-friendly opening against India last year. However, ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle still rated the pitch as ‘very good’.
The same thing happened last year during the India Test: Usman Khawaja
Speaking at an event for his foundation, Usman Khawaja criticized Perth’s surface. He said the pitch behaved similarly on the opening day of the India Test last year. Khawaja added that even Steven Smith struggled and was hit repeatedly.
“Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit, that’s a great wicket – that seems very fair,” Khawaja said.
“The same thing happened last year in the Indian Test, it’s just one wicket that day, the ball just doesn’t respond. Steve Smith is by far the best cricketer I’ve ever played with and he misses the middle of his bat in a long way – he doesn’t miss the middle of his bat. He gets hit in the elbow, he gets hit.”
Day-One Perth Wicket is a piece of S**** – Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja said the unpredictable jump on the first day made batting extremely difficult. He described the pitch on day one as “a piece of s***.” Khawaja added that the wicket usually improves on days two and three before falling apart again later in the match.
“You can’t really predict up and down. Up and down is the hardest – sideways is a little easier, but up and down your hands can’t catch you. So day one wicket on [Perth] is a piece of s***, I’m happy to say that,” Khawaja continued.
“It was last year, it was this year. They’re getting better. Day two, day three and then day four they start laughing,” he added.
Cricket Australia is seeking an explanation over the criticism of Usman Khawaja’s pitch
Cricket Australia plans to speak to Usman Khawaja about his comment calling the Perth pitch “a piece of s***”. Officials, said the Sydney Morning Heralddidn’t like what he said, even though they didn’t discuss it publicly.
They don’t want to distract him for the second Test at the Gabba, but they are still expected to ask him for an explanation once he joins the team. Only then will they decide whether action is needed.
Australia have retained the same squad for the next Test. The players meet in Brisbane on Sunday, where an optional training session will be held at the Gabba. Australia, who have a 1-0 lead in the series, will start the second Test against Ben Stokes-led England on December 4.
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