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Usman Khawaja faces a Cricket Australia notice after calling the Perth Stadium Ashes pitch a bit of s**t, clashing with Ranjan Madugalle’s excellent ICC rating.
Australia’s Usman Khawaja didn’t walk out to open the innings (AP)
Usman Khawaja is predicted to receive a proper notice from Cricket Australia after bluntly describing the Perth Stadium surface for the primary Ashes Test as a “piece of s**t” during a charity lunch this week.
Reports indicate that CA officials were displeased with the opener’s comments, especially since match referee Ranjan Madugalle had rated the wicket “excellent,” the best rating an ICC official can provide.
Madugalle’s evaluation followed a match that concluded inside two days, where he noted the pitch had “good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent early bounce,” contributing to a good balance between bat and ball.
‘Blissful To Say’
Khawaja, nonetheless, expressed a starkly different opinion. Speaking on the event, he criticised the pitch for its variable bounce, highlighting the short fall of wickets on Day 1 and the variety of batters struck. He noted that even a player of Steve Smith’s calibre struggled to search out the center of the bat on account of the up-and-down movement.
“Nineteen wickets on the primary day and about 20 people got hit, that’s an amazing wicket, that seems real fair. Steve Smith’s by far one of the best cricketer I’ve ever played with, and he’s missing the center of his bat by a great distance – he doesn’t miss the center of his bat. He’s getting hit within the elbow. Up and down (movement) is the toughest, sideways is just a little bit easier, but up and down, your hands can’t catch up. So, day one wicket at (Perth) is a bit of s**t, I’m completely satisfied to say that. It has been last 12 months; it was this 12 months,” Khawaja had said at an event for his Usman Khawaja Foundation.
The opener noted that the surface typically improves after opening day, explaining that Days 2 and three are frequently one of the best for batting.
“They do get well. Day two, day three, after which day 4, they begin to crack up and cure again. We all know day two, day three is often one of the best time to bat. So, at any time when we play in Perth, it’s one among the few places we win the toss and bat first, hoping that we are able to bat again possibly the tip of day two and into day three,” the Queenslander added.
Cricket Australia is predicted to formally address the matter, as Khawaja’s comments have gained attention not only for his or her bluntness but in addition for directly contradicting the ICC’s top-tier rating of the wicket.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
November 29, 2025, 13:20 IST
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