‘Aussies won't forget’ - Allan Border expects Australia to fight 'fire with fire' after Ollie Robinson’s fiery Usman Khawaja send-off

Usman Khawaja brought England to their knees in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test in the Ashes 2023. The veteran batter was sensational for the Aussies and scored a brilliant hundred. Khawaja amassed 141 runs in 321 balls, and his knock was crucial for Australia in notching up 386 runs on the board. 

As the 36-year-old was sent packing by Ollie Robinson in the first innings, the pacer was quick to hurl abuse at the Australian batter after dismissing him. Robinson was all pumped up after sending Khawaja back to the pavilion, and in the heat of the moment, he yelled some swear words at the batter’s face. 

Opining about the same, former Australian cricketer Allan Border revealed that while Robinson’s reaction was just momentary aggression, the Australian players will not be quick to forget such behaviour. He also opined that the media will be quick to jump on it, and what goes around comes around. 

"I have heard some send-offs and have given some send-offs myself. It is a heat-of-the-moment sort of stuff. Generally, I think Robinson is a pretty fair bloke from what I gather. But, you get fired up as a big fast bowler, words are said and then afterwards, it's all forgotten about generally," Allan Border was quoted as saying by SEN Breakfast. 

"The media will jump on it, of course, but you know what goes around comes around, he's put a bit of a target on his head. When he comes out the bat, hopefully it’s early tomorrow, and the Aussies won't forget, that's for sure," he added.

Maintaining a slender lead of seven runs in the second innings, England got off to the worst of starts as both openers were sent back to the pavilion quite early on. Zak Crawley was dismissed for seven runs, whereas Ben Duckett was sent packing by Pat Cummins for 19 runs. As Day 4 approaches, England will look to stabilise their innings as Joe Root and Ollie Pope take the crease.