Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has hit back at Englishman Ollie Robinson after the fast bowler defended his on-field antics by comparing them to previous scenarios involving Ponting.
Robinson was sighted using some course language towards Usman Khawaja after he dismissed the opening batsman for 141. The 24-year-old has been publicly criticised not only by the media but also former players for not playing within the spirit of the game.
When questioned by the media, Robinson stated: "We've all seen Ricky Ponting and other Aussies do the same to us, and just because the shoe is on the other foot it's not received well."
Ponting responded while commentating for Sky Sports by saying that If Robinson is going to say the things he has been saying in the media then he needs to "back it up with your skills."
"As I said after Ollie Robinson said what he said, this England cricket team hasn't played against Australia and they'll find out pretty quickly what playing Ashes cricket and playing against a good Australian cricket team is all about," Ponting told the ICC Review podcast.
"And if Ollie Robinson hasn't learned that already after last week, then he's a slow learner.
"Some of the things he had to say – I mean he even brought my name into it, which I felt was a little bit unusual, but for me it's water off a duck's back.
"If he is sitting back thinking about me, then no wonder he bowled like the way that he did in that game, if he's worried about what I did 15 years ago.
"He'll learn pretty quickly that if you're going to talk to Australian cricketers in an Ashes Series, then you want to be able to back it up with your skills."
Robinson bowled 3/55 in the first innings and 2/43 in the second which included vital wickets of David Warner and Cameron Green during Australia's nail-biting run chase. The English bowling efforts were not enough to hold off the Australians who chased England down with only 19 overs remaining on the back of a terrific 44* from captain Pat Cummins.
Additionally, Ponting questioned England's claim that they are not a "results-driven" team.
After the two-wicket loss on Tuesday, Ben Stokes made a point of highlighting his frustration of losing such a close game, but he also reiterated his desire for his team to play exciting cricket.
"We are not a results-driven team, but we are absolutely devastated," Stokes said after England went 0-1 down in the series.
"The lads are in pieces up there. But if that's not attracting people to the game we love then I don't know what will.
Despite Stokes' affirmative stance, Ponting is still not convinced.
"I've heard them say that before, that they're not 'results driven', but I don't believe that for a second," said Ponting.
"This is an Ashes series, this is the biggest challenge that Ben Stokes has had in his career as a captain.
"I'm not copping that.
"I mean, if they're not results driven, they wouldn't be disappointed at all about losing. And it seemed to me, and he said it, that all his players were in pieces at the end of that game.
"So that means to me that they do care about losing, and you should."
