Khawaja faces heat for slamming Perth pitch, compares it to India Test

Australia opener Usman Khawaja may face action for his comments about the pitch used in the first Ashes Test against England in Perth. The match at Optus Stadium ended in just two days, with Australia winning easily on Day 2.

After the win, Khawaja compared the Perth pitch to the one used for the Australia–India first Test in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has reportedly upset Cricket Australia.

Speaking at a fundraising lunch for the Usman Khawaja Foundation, the Australian opener criticised the Perth pitch used in the first Ashes Test, saying it had too much variable bounce. According to the report, Cricket Australia officials were unhappy with his comments and plan to speak with him before the second Test in Brisbane.

Khawaja Faces Possible Sanction After Strong Criticism of Perth Pitch

Khawaja also compared the Perth surface to the one used in the Australia–India first Test earlier this year, where the two teams were bowled out for just 150 and 104 in their first innings.

“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 for the first Ashes Test between Australia and England was rated “very good” in the official report by match referee Ranjan Madugalle.

Despite that rating, the game ended up being the shortest Ashes Test ever in terms of balls bowled, and the second-shortest Test ever played in Australia, with only 847 deliveries in total. A remarkable 19 wickets fell on the opening day alone.