Ricky Ponting has expressed surprise at Ollie Robinson’s justification for his offensive send-off to Usman Khawaja on day two of the first Ashes Test, where he said that Ponting and other Australia cricketers would sledge England during matches as well.

Robinson found himself potentially in the match referee’s eye for a violation the ICC’s code of conduct section 2.3, which prohibits a player to use words that are “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.”

The incident occurred after Robinson yorked Khawaja on 141 and gave him a send-off by using the words “f**king p***k”.

Robison later defended his antics by saying that the “passion of the Ashes” got to him and explained that England have been on the receiving end of Ponting’s own sledges in the past.

“We’ve all seen Ricky Ponting, other Aussies do the same to us,” he said in the post-play press conference at the end of day three. “Just because the shoe is on the other foot, it’s not received well. 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?”

When poked about the incident on commentary, Ponting, who retired from cricket in 2012, admitted to being surprised at being used as a shield by Robison for his behaviour.

“I was sitting back having some pizza and watching the US Open golf and my phone lit up with what he had to say in his press conference,” Ponting said. “I was a little bit surprised just because it’s so long ago.

“If he had used one of the current players as an example then fine, but I haven’t played for 11 years and probably haven’t sledged an Englishman for about 15. He must have a long memory.”

He added that he was “no saint” on the field in his playing days and that Robinson’s outburst was because he was frustrated after toiling on a hard day. “The only thing I’d say with Ollie yesterday is Khawaja was 140, Robinson hasn’t looked like getting a wicket all day, and he’s just sledged probably the nicest man that’s ever walked on the planet.

“The flip side of what happened, and I understand it, I’m no saint as far as this stuff is concerned, but on one hand Ollie Robinson is giving him a send-off and on the other hand Joe Root is running across to shake his hand and pat him on the back and say well played.

“That’s the contrast of maybe a bowler who is toiling away and is a little bit frustrated, and a fielder that sat back and watched a really good Test match innings.”

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