Usman Khawaja to Address Controversial Comments on Perth Pitch

Usman Khawaja is set to explain his controversial remarks about the Perth pitch after the first Ashes Test against England. His comments, which criticized the pitch's performance, have drawn the attention of Cricket Australia officials. Khawaja highlighted the challenges faced by players, including Steve Smith, during the match. Australia won the first Test by eight wickets, taking a lead in the series. The second Test is scheduled to begin on December 4 at The Gabba in Brisbane. Discover more about Khawaja's statements and the upcoming match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 29, 2025, 12:41 IST

Khawaja's Remarks Spark Reaction

Brisbane [Australia], November 29: Veteran opener Usman Khawaja is expected to clarify his recent comments regarding the Perth Stadium pitch to officials from Cricket Australia (CA). His remarks, which included calling the pitch "a piece of s***," have raised eyebrows following the match referee Ranjan Madugalle's assessment that deemed the surface as "very good".

During an event for the Usman Khawaja Foundation, the experienced cricketer expressed his dissatisfaction with the Perth pitch, highlighting the high number of wickets that fell and the excessive bounce that affected players like Steve Smith.

Khawaja pointed out that this was not an isolated incident, noting that the Perth pitch has historically produced similar outcomes on the first day of Test matches. He remarked, "Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit, that’s a great wicket, that seems real fair," as reported by SEN Cricket.

He further praised Steve Smith, stating, "Steve Smith’s by far the best cricketer I’ve ever played with, and he’s missing the middle of his bat by a long way – he does not miss the middle of his bat. He’s getting hit in the elbow." Khawaja elaborated on the challenges of the pitch, saying, "Up and down (movement) is the hardest, sideways is a little bit easier, but up and down, your hands can’t catch up. So, day one wicket at (Perth) is a piece of s**t, I’m happy to say that. It has been last year; it was this year."

Australia emerged victorious in the first Test, winning by eight wickets and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series. The team successfully chased a challenging target of 205 runs, with opener Travis Head scoring a remarkable 123 runs to secure the win.

The upcoming second Test between Australia and England is scheduled to take place at The Gabba in Brisbane, commencing on December 4. This match will feature a pink-ball format.