Sydney Morning Herald: Australian opener Usman Khawaja has reportedly avoided punishment for his “piece of s**t” remark on the Perth Stadium pitch, which received a “very good” rating from the ICC after the Ashes opener was completed within two days.
Cricket Australia had issued Khawaja a 'please explain' request for his remarks on the Perth Stadium pitch, and the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday that the 38-year-old batter has escaped punishment.
'Usman’s comments were not reflective of how the team viewed the pitch and Perth Stadium personnel are aware of this,” a CA spokesperson was quoted by the masthead.
The opening Test in Perth saw 19 wickets fall on Day 1 as England were bowled out for 172, with Mitchell Starc taking career-best figures of 7-58, before Australia's batters collapsed to 121/9 at stumps.
Day 2 saw 13 wickets fall and 380 runs scored as England were dismissed for 164 before Travis Head's remarkable 123 guided Australia to an eight-wicket victory and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The opening Test in Perth saw 19 wickets fall on Day 1 as England were bowled out for 172, with Mitchell Starc taking career-best figures of 7-58, before Australia's batters collapsed to 121/9 at stumps.
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A day after ICC has rated the playing surface for the first Ashes Test in Perth as 'very good', Khawaja offered a sharply different view and criticised the pitch for its variable bounce, saying, "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."