What Usman Khawaja did say when he hit Ollie Robinson with a brilliant comeback in Ashes Test?

Standout Australian batter Usman Khawaja has had the last laugh on Ashes ‘villain’ Ollie Robinson as the pair clashed for the second time during the Test at Edgbaston.

English quick Robinson was criticised by Aussie fans and some sections of the media after his blunt send-off when he dismissed the Aussie opener for 141 – and on day five, with the result on the line, the duo went toe to toe once again.

Before drinks in the rain-delayed first session, Robinson suggested Khawaja was batting with a defensive mindset as Pat Cummins’ men chased 281 for victory.

He was overheard stating: ‘A freebie, isn’t it? A half-volley with the field up,’ as he criticised the Aussie for not being aggressive enough

Khawaja was having none of it. 

Robinson (pictured, celebrating after taking the wicket of Cameron Green on day five of the first Ashes Test) is a ferocious competitor and insisted the exchange wasn’t personal

‘There’s rough there. Not hitting that. That’s why you’re not a batsman,’ he shot back.

Fellow English paceman Jimmy Anderson – who in his heyday was a master of getting opponents offside mentally –  stepped in as peacemaker as the situation threatened to escalate.

Umpire Marais Erasmus was also spotted telling Robinson to keep his cool when drinks were called moments later.

After appearing to tell Khawaja to, ‘F**k off, you f**king p***k!’ after taking his wicket in the first innings, Robinson said it was merely a heat-of-the-moment exchange.

‘I don’t really care how it’s perceived,’ Robinson said of the first incident. 

‘It’s the Ashes, it’s professional sport. If you can’t handle that, what can you handle?

‘When you’re in the heat of the moment and have the passion of the Ashes, that can happen. 

Khawaja put Robinson in his place, pointing out the fired-up quick’s lack of batting prowess

‘We’ve all seen Ricky Ponting and other Aussies do that to us, so just because the shoe is on the other foot, it’s not received well.

‘For me, it’s my first home Ashes and to get the big wicket at the time was special for me. To get that wicket for the team was massive. 

‘We all want that theatre of the game and I am here to provide it.’

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey insisted the Aussies had no issue with Robinson.

‘Usman hasn’t said anything,’ he said. 

‘It’s the Ashes, at times it will be pretty exciting and hostile cricket,’ he said. ‘I didn’t see anything over the top there.’

The second Test at Lord’s begins on June 28.