During the first Test match of the 2023 Ashes, at Edgbaston, Ollie Robinson dismissed Usman Khawaja and caused a stir by giving him and explicit a send-off.
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At 372-6, Australia held a slight advantage on day three in Birmingham. However, England had worked on Usman Khawaja, and surrounded him with an umbrella of six fielders on either side in front of the wicket.
Trying to find a gap, Khawaja stepped out against Ollie Robinson and inadvertently yorked himself, having to watch in horror as the off stump went cartwheeling. Khawaja’s 141 was scripted over an eight-hour vigil.
Robinson followed up with a send-off to Khawaja. Some used the inexact science of lip-reading to claim that Robinson used the words “f**king p***k”.
After play on day three, Robinson defended the send-off: “I don’t really care how it’s perceived, to be honest. It’s the Ashes. It’s professional sport. If you can’t handle that, what can you handle?”
Since his post-match comments, there have been subsequent calls for a penalty for Robinson. Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct “covers the use of words commonly known and understood to be offensive, obscene and/or profane (in any language) and which can be heard by the spectators and/or the viewing public whether by way of the stump-microphone or otherwise. This conduct may include, for example, swearing in frustration at one’s own play or fortune.”
Article 2.5, on the other hand, “includes: (a) excessive celebration directed at and in close proximity to the dismissed batter; (b) verbally abusing the dismissed batter; and (c) pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion.”
The decision will lie with match referee Andy Pycroft, and it will eventually come down to whether he considers Robinson in violation of one or both of Articles 2.3 and 2.5. If found guilty, Robinson will be reprimanded and charged with one demerit point.
Elliot Miles of Jersey was the last to violate Article 2.3 in international cricket, against the USA at Windhoek on April 4 of this year. The last violator in a Test match was Travis Head, during the 2021/22 Ashes Test match at Brisbane.
In the same match as Miles, Ali Khan of the USA had violated 2.5. In Test cricket, the last offender was Kyle Jamieson, in the Christchurch Test match of 2022/23.
Australia collapsed to concede a seven-run first innings deficit on day three, but took out both England openers by stumps. England resumed this morning (June 19) day four on 28-2, with a lead of 35.
