Mark Taylor has refused to weigh in on claims that Ollie Robinson shouted “f— off, you f—ing prick” when he dismissed Australian century-maker Usman Khawaja, but he’s defended the passion with which the England quick celebrated his wicket.
Robinson is copping criticism for celebrating wildly when he shattered Khawaja’s stumps on day three of the Edgbaston Test, giving him a raucous send-off despite the fact the beloved veteran had peeled off 141 runs in Australia’s first dig.
The fiery England paceman is being panned for a lack of class, but Taylor did not join the critics when asked for his thoughts on the controversial incident.
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“I don’t think there was that much in it, to be totally honest. He’s obviously excited to get a wicket. He got a very crucial wicket,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports.
“It was interesting that when Ussie went we lost 4-14 and they bowled us out pretty quickly. So they knew the role and the importance of getting Ussie out in a situation where he was the anchor, the spine of our innings. It was a big wicket. I didn’t see too much more in it that that, to be honest.”
Khawaja premeditated, skipping down the wicket when the Australians were 6-372 and trailing by 21 runs.
The left-hander received a full delivery that ripped through him as he tried to flick the ball through the off side.
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Khawaja had played with admirable calmness and beautiful strokeplay for his 15th Test century, and had rescued the Australians after they stumbled to lunch on day two at 3-78.
He also notched his maiden Test century in England, the country in which he was dropped from the Australian XI during the 2019 Ashes.
But Robinson roared at the opener and, by some people’s reckoning, saw him off with inappropriate language.
“You’re playing in an Ashes contest where two sides are going hard at it,” Taylor added.
“Obviously I’ll leave that to the umpires and the match referee to sort out. You want a good, tough contest, but obviously there’s parameters … I’ll leave the umpire and the match referees to sort that out.”
England bowled out Australia for 386 to secure a first-innings lead of seven runs.
Robinson recorded 3-55 from 22.1 overs.
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