Australia and Usman Khawaja have come under scrutiny for letting Jake Weatherald walk out without his opening partner to bat on the first day of the Perth Ashes Test with the cameras capturing an animated Steve Smith. Mitchell Starc was at his destructive best having ripped through the England batting line-up to leave them all out for 172 in 32.5 overs at Perth Stadium on Friday.
But Australia’s innings got off to a poor start with Khawaja not able to open the batting with debutant Weatherald because he spent too long off the field before the final wicket dealing with back stiffness. Smith was clearly aware of the rule, which deemed Khawaja would not be permitted to bat for eight minutes if he didn’t get back on the field for the same amount of time before the end of the innings.
Australia and Usman Khawaja (pictured right) have come under scrutiny for letting debutant Jake Weatherald walk out without his opening partner with the veteran handed a penalty due to his time of the field with back spasms. (Images: Getty Images)
Law 24.2.3.2 states in part: “The player shall not be permitted to bat in the match until his team’s batting innings has been in progress for the length of playing time that is equal to the unexpired Penalty time carried forward from the previous innings.” Smith was motioning to the Australian change room to get the opener back on and Khawaja eventually re-entered the fray.
Although it was only for a few moments with England losing quick wickets. This meant Khawaja needed to wait eight minutes before he could walk out to bat. This saw debutant Weatherald walk out and face the first ball with Marnus Labuschagne promoted down the other end.
Weatherald breaks routine after Khawaja penalty
While Weatherald may have faced the first ball anyway, this is not normally part of his routine. Weatherald has not faced the first ball in each of his last 20 first class innings. This run of form is what saw him selected to open alongside Khawaja in Perth. Unfortunately, Weatherald was forced to break his routine having put his hand up to take the first ball with Labuschagne at the end.
And Weatherald’s debutant did not go to plan with the 31-year-old dismissed for a duck with Jofra Archer wreaking havoc on Australia’s top order. And because eight minutes had not elapsed at the time of the wicket, Smith was then forced to come out at first drop with Khawaja eventually entering at No.4 with Australia 2-28. Although Khawaja was dismissed for two runs with Australia’s top order once again proving to be a frail against a strong bowling engine.
Jake Weatherald (pictured) did not open alongside Usman Khawaja after the veteran was given a time penalty on the first day of the Ashes.
Ricky Ponting breaks down Usman Khawaja incident
Cricket legend Ricky Ponting admitted Khawaja’s penalty had messed with Australia’s preparation as wickets started to tumble. “They’ve obviously been caught off-guard, which is the last thing that Marnus wanted, the last thing that Jake wanted,” Ponting said during Channel 7 commentary.
“Jake Weatherald would have forging a relationship with Usman all week to build up and face his first ball in Test cricket. That was all taken away.”
But there were some who were harsher on Khawaja. While it was initially reported it was a toilet break, former Aussie cricketer Tom Moody took aim at the team for not managing the situation. “At the end of the day, to gamble on the fact that he could come back on the field when England is eight down [is a big risk],” Moody said on ABC Radio.
“That is beyond a joke. He is our most experienced top-order player. We needed Khawaja at the front to lead the batting unit into this series. For that to take more than 20 minutes, unless we’re not getting the right information … it’s beyond belief. You do not take the risk knowing you’re right on the cusp of bowling England out.” Plenty of fans agreed the situation was a debacle and unfortunate for Weatherald on his debut.
Mitchell Starc gives update on Usman Khawaja
At the end of the day, Australian quick Starc gave more info on the incident that caused havoc on the batting. “He had a back spasm there the second time he came off, so we got caught off guard a little bit with the wickets falling pretty quickly the back end there,” Starc said.
“It’s just unfortunate that that was the case. He’ll manage that overnight and see how we’re at tomorrow.” Khawaja’s injury could be an issue heading into day two with the opener needed in teh field. Australia will resume the day for 9-123 trailing England by 49 runs.