'I Didn't Like..'- Stuart Broad Hits Back At Matthew Hayden For His Nasty Comments On Ollie Robinson
Robinson was slammed by Matthew Hayden for sledging Khawaja [Source: AP]
England seamer Stuart Broad has come out in support of his fellow teammate, Ollie Robinson after the latter came under fire from ex-Australian cricketers for his on-field actions against opener Usman Khawaja.
Robinson has been under scrutiny ever since he gave an expletive-laden send-off to Khawaja after dismissing him in the 1st innings of the Edgbaston Test.
The Sussex seamer was unapologetic for his actions in the post-day presentation while also recalling how Ricky Ponting and other great Aussie players used to sledge back in the day.
Following a thrilling victory for the tourists in Birmingham, Ponting and former opener Matthew Hayden launched a scathing attack on Robinson, with the latter even going as far as terming the seamer as an 'irrelevant cricketer who bowls 124 Kmph pies'.
In his column for the Daily Mail UK, Broad reminded Hayden that the legendary Glenn McGrath also used to bowl at a similar pace while also asserting that Robinson is averaging 21 in Test match cricket.
He also stated that Robinson's comments had been blown out of proportion, and according to the senior pacer, the controversy would die prematurely since both teams get along well off the field.
"A lot more has been made of words on the field between Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja than ought to have been, to be honest. Ultimately, the ICC had no problem with Ollie’s reaction to dismissing Khawaja in the first innings and I didn’t like Matthew Hayden’s disparaging comments about him,” Broad wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
“Ollie averages 21 with the ball in Test cricket over a decent amount of time and bowls in a very similar way to Glenn McGrath. Yes, there was a bit of emotion on the field, but off it we are obviously seeing the Australian guys in the pavilion corridors all the time, eating lunch in the same room and we enjoyed a nice-natured week. Now a couple of expletives the other way and everyone is piling in. Where are we going with this?” he added.
"Ricky Ponting had a bit of a nibble because Robbo brought his name into things during a press conference, but not because Ricky was a huge sledger. Ollie had a bit of a mind blank, Ricky Ponting was the most famous ex-Aussie cricketer he could think of, and that Australia team he played in was hardly full of shrinking violets, so the hoo-ha that was created surprised us," Broad added.
Robinson will look to respond with his skills while England, trailing by 0-1, will be keen to bounce back in the series by winning the second Test at Lord's starting this 28th.
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