Usman Khawaja just landed himself in hot water with Cricket Australia. The opener didn’t hold back his frustration about the Perth pitch. His brutal comments are now causing major headaches for everyone involved with the team.
What Khawaja Actually Said
Khawaja called the Perth pitch “a piece of s***” right after day one. Nineteen wickets fell during that opening day of chaotic cricket action. Even watching from the sidelines felt uncomfortable with balls doing crazy things constantly.
“You can’t really predict up and down. Up and down is the hardest – sideways is a little bit easier but up and down your hands can’t catch up. So day one wicket at [Perth] is a piece of s***, I’m happy to say that,” Khawaja said.
The Australian batter explained that the bounce was impossible to predict out there. He pointed out that even Steven Smith looked completely lost on this surface. When Smith struggles badly, you know something’s seriously wrong with the wicket conditions.
This isn’t the first time Khawaja has complained about this particular pitch. He said similar things last year after playing India on the same ground. The surface behaved inconsistently then too, making batting a nightmare for everyone trying.
“Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit, that’s a great wicket – that seems real fair,” Khawaja said.
“The same thing happened last year in the Indian Test, it’s just that day one wicket, the ball just does not react. Steve Smith’s by far the best cricketer I’ve ever played with and he’s missing the middle of his bat by a long way – he does not miss the middle of his bat. He’s getting hit in the elbow, he’s getting hit.”
Cricket Australia Not Happy At All
Officials at Cricket Australia are reportedly furious with Khawaja’s public criticism right now. They plan to talk with him once the Ashes finish. But they won’t distract him before the Brisbane game starts on December 4.
Players usually avoid criticizing pitches publicly because it looks bad for cricket. Khawaja broke that unwritten rule by speaking his mind so bluntly. The board probably wish he’d kept those thoughts inside the dressing room instead.
His timing makes things worse since Australia leads the Ashes series 1-0 currently. The team should be celebrating their advantage, not dealing with pitch controversies. Cricket Australia wants players focused on winning, not complaining about conditions publicly.
Australia Moves Forward Despite Drama
The team keeps the same squad for the second Test in Brisbane. Khawaja will open the batting again despite all this controversy swirling around. Australia aims to extend their Ashes lead to 2-0 with another victory.
The pitch debate won’t change their game plans or team selection at all.
