Ashes: Usman Khawaja could face sanctions for calling Perth pitch ‘sh*t’ with India parallel

Khawaja compared the surface to that of what was rolled out for the AUS vs IND 1st Test, earning the wrath of CA

Australia cricket team opener Usman Khawaja could possibly face sanctions for his remarks on the pitch for AUS vs ENG 1st Ashes Test in Perth. The Test, which was held at the Optus stadium, concluded in just 2 days, with Australia clinching a comfortable win on Day 2. Khawaja compared the surface to that of what was rolled out for the AUS vs IND 1st Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, earning the wrath of CA.

Khawaja draws parallel between Ashes 1st Test and AUS vs IND Perth Test

Speaking at a fundraising lunch for the Usman Khawaja Foundation, the Australian opener was critical of the variable bounce offered by the Perth pitch in the 1st Ashes Test. The report states that Cricket Australia officials are disappointed with the opener’s remarks and will speak to him before the AUS vs ENG 2nd Ashes Test in Brisbane. Khawaja compared the surface to what was rolled out for the AUS vs IND 1st Test earlier this year, where both teams registrered a 1st innings total of 150 and 104.

“Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit. That’s a great wicket, that seems real fair. The same thing happened last year in the India 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, (yet) he’s getting hit in the elbow. So day-one wicket at Perth is a piece of shit, I’m happy to say that. Has been last year, it was this year,” Khawaja said.

Meanwhile, it is pertinent to point out that Khawaja was unable to open for Australia in both innings in the 1st Ashes Test due to a back spasm.

The pitch used for the AUS vs ENG 1st Ashes Test was graded ‘very good’ in the official report from the match referee Ranjan Madugalle. The game was the shortest Test in the history of Ashes (in terms of balls bowled) and the second shortest Test to be completed in Australia as just 847 deliveries were bowled. 19 wickets fell on Day 1 of the contest.