17 July 2023 , 08:14
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Usman Khawaja says he "can't believe" some of the taunts Australia have received from the crowd during the Ashes, with teammate Travis Head called a "c***" by fans during the first Test at Edgbaston.
Players on both sides are used to getting stick from the crowd during an Ashes series, but England supporters have been even more vocal this time following Alex Carey's controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow in Australia's win at Lord's. There were disgraceful scenes in the Long Room when furious MCC members confronted the Australians about the dismissal.
Security were forced to intervene after Khawaja and other players reacted to the abuse, with three members later suspended over the incident. Khawaja declined to reveal what exactly was said, stating that the MCC are "all over it" and he "trusts them to do the right thing".
The 36-year-old did acknowledge that England also receive plenty of abuse when they tour Australia and says he thinks both sets of supporters "can take it too far". Speaking ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Khawaja said: "I mean, they [English crowds] are rough.
"But if you talk about it to England guys, they say we are equally as rough [when they go to Australia]. I don't agree with it either way. I don't think it's the right thing to do.
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"Personally if I am coming to the cricket and watching the cricket, I wouldn't want my kids to be around that. If I saw that I would 100 per cent make a complaint or just leave. I think some of the stuff can be pretty poor.
"Over at Edgbaston they were calling Travis Head a c***, you know what I mean? I'm like I can't believe you can actually say that in a public domain anywhere. It can be a little disappointing at times, and I think we can [also] take it too far in Australia.
David Warner interacts with the Edgbaston crowd during the first Ashes Test (Stu Forster/Getty Images)"I'm not a big fan of it. I know watching a lot of sport and loving sport that it happens around the world. You watch the NBA, it happens there. Particularly when crowds can get real close to you, which they can in cricket.
"It is what it is, I don't agree with it. I have been playing my whole life, it doesn't bother me. And if it does, I will let them know." England opener Ben Duckett, meanwhile, says the hostile atmosphere created by the crowd at Headingley following the Bairstow controversy helped them win the game and keep the series alive
"The home crowd is a big thing for us," he told the Guardian. "When Carey came out to bat last week, normally as a fielding side you'd go for the batter a little bit, make them feel uncomfortable. But we didn’t have to say a word because the crowd were going so hard. I know for a fact it must have affected him because he didn't seem his normal self."