Traditional opening batsman Usman Khawaja is set to give an explanation to Cricket Australia (CA) officials about his remark of “a piece of s***” on the Optus Stadium`s pitch in Perth during the first Test match of the Ashes series.
According to SEN Cricket, CA officials were not satisfied with Khawaja`s comment, and match referee Ranjan Madugalle had rated the pitch of the first match as a “very good” surface.
Considering the fall of wickets during the match and Steve Smith getting hit by extra bounce, the opening batsman criticised Perth`s surface at the Usman Khawaja Foundation event.
While speaking about the wicket at the event, the left-handed batsman labelled Smith as the best cricketer he has played with and also said that he doesn`t miss the middle of the bat.
“Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit, that`s a great wicket, that seems real fair. 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,” said Khawaja as quoted by SEN Cricket.
Further speaking more about the wicket, the opening batsman said that the pitch was “a piece of s***” considering that the up and down movement with your hands is the hardest part while batting.
“Up and down (movement) 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**t, I`m happy to say that. It has been last year; it was this year,” said the 38-year-old cricketer.
In Australia`s second innings of the first Test match, swashbuckling batsman Travis Head played a glorious knock of 123 runs off just 83 deliveries, which was laced with 16 boundaries and four maximums.
Marnus Labuschagne stayed unbeaten on 51 runs. His knock included 49 balls, in which he smashed six boundaries and a maximum.
Australia`s lead pacer, Mitchell Starc, was named the “Player of the Match” for his heroics in the game. He returned with the figures if seven wickets for 58 runs in the first innings, and also claimed three wickets by conceding 55 runs in the second essay.
With this, the Aussies won the match and have taken a lead by 1-0 in the five-match series.
The second Test match of the Ashes series is scheduled to be played at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 4. During the match, Australia will continue to miss the services of skipper Pat Cummins due to injury. In the second Test match, it will be interesting to see if veteran opening batsman Usman Khawaja opens the innings for the side. In the previous match, the left-hander did not open the innings as he was struggling with back spasms.
(With ANI Inputs)
