Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson criticised England bowler Ollie Robinson for dragging Ricky Ponting into the sledging debate during the first Test of the 2023 Ashes. He expressed that Ollie Robinson’s comments defending his actions of giving a fiery send-off sounded “a bit childish”.
Ollie Robinson was criticised heavily for his send-off to Usman Khawaja during the first Test. He took five wickets in the match, however, his send-off overshadowed his performance. The pacer defended his actions by saying that the Australian players, including Ricky Ponting, would do the same. Mitchell Johnson termed Robinson’s comments as “childish”.
“Robinson’s send-off to Usman Khawaja after dismissing him – after almost eight hours at the crease – didn’t really bother me,” Johnson wrote in The West Australian.
 “What made me laugh were his comments after play using Ricky Ponting as justification for his sledging. It all sounded a bit childish. Just own it, if that’s the way you want to play the game. And back your words up with actions and skills – because it will, and did, come back to bite him on the backside,” he added.
The declaration was simply too early: Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson also shared his thoughts on England skipper Ben Stokes’s early declaration on the first day of the first Ashes 2023 Test. Batting first, England declared at 393/8. The former Australian cricketer expressed that the declaration was too early. He added that England should have added more runs in the first innings. Mitchell Johnson wrote,
“Declaring on the opening day at 8-393 was simply too early. And not just because it wasn’t enough runs – though with an extra 50 runs England might have won the match.”
“England could have kept Australia in the field for longer. As a bowler, I would be thanking them for declaring and giving me extra rest physically and mentally. You don’t want heavy legs and on the first day of a gruelling five-Test series, that was ideal for the Aussie quicks to be sitting down after just 78 overs,” he added.
In response to England’s 393, Australia managed 386 runs, handing England a seven runs lead. England was bowled out for 273 runs setting Australia a target of 280. The visitors were in a spot of bother, however, skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon’s brilliant partnership took them home. They won the match by two wickets, to go one-up in the five-match series.
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