Aussie commentator joins Kevin Pietersen in slamming Ollie Robinson’s Ashes bowling at Lord’s

Ashes villain Ollie Robinson has been an easy target after recently badmouthing Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting and opener Usman Khawaja – and on day one of the second Test at Lord’s, commentators Mel Jones and Kevin Pietersen continued the pile-on.

Robinson, 29, did snare the key wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, but was expensive, going for more than four runs an over.

And Jones didn’t miss the opportunity to savage the polarising seam bowler.

Late in the second session, part-time spinner Joe Root was bowling for England when he suddenly produced a bouncer.

It prompted a cheeky exchange between Jones and co-commentator Michael Atherton, the former England skipper and opening batsman.

One-time English star batsman Kevin Pietersen savaged the hosts, labelling Ben Stokes’ men ‘absolutely shambolic’

‘There you go. With the stare to follow as well,’ Jones said.

‘[Root is a] spin bowler with a fast bowler’s temperament,’ Atherton replied.

‘To those wondering that [Root’s delivery] was just a couple of miles short of what Ollie Robinson has been bowling today at 75 miles [120km] an hour,’ Jones said.

Atherton was stunned at the quip – and then it was Pietersen’s turn to criticise England’s poor bowling and lack of energy in the field.

‘England have been shambolic. Absolutely shambolic,’ Pietersen fumed on Sky Sports at the tea interval.

‘You have overhead conditions, you have a wicket that suits your bowlers and you’ve got bowlers running in at 78, 79, 80mph.

‘It’s one thing swanning around and saying “this is a wonderful team to play in, we’re creating the best environment”.

Ollie Robinson has been savaged by Aussie cricket greats Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke – and he was expensive with ball in hand at Lord’s on day one of the second Ashes Test

‘But this isn’t Ashes cricket. I played Ashes cricket. I played 30 Tests against Australia.’

He went on to declare the hosts were far too friendly.

‘It’s all too easy, all too nice. Are you telling me Ricky Ponting in 2005 is going to be talking to [ex wicket-keeper] Geraint Jones?

‘You think Michael Vaughan would be standing next to Justin Langer and saying ‘what a cool day, it’s overcast it’s beautiful, what an environment here at Lord’s, what do you think of the wicket?’

‘Are you joking? Are you absolutely joking? I just hope they’re in that dressing room now and the England coach is giving them the biggest hammering and saying ‘this is not good enough’.

‘It’s absolutely not good enough. You cannot bowl out here today (like this) and you cannot have these conditions and you cannot declare for 390.

‘You think Australia are declaring today? You think they’re declaring, getting 390 and then saying go on England, go and have a bat.’

At stumps, Australia plundered 5/339 from 83 overs, with Steve Smith unbeaten on 85.