Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja during the tense final day.Credit:Getty
Khawaja had told Robinson to “be careful”,a reminder that he could yet hear from the match referee Andy Pycroft about his conduct on Saturday.
Ponting leapt to Khawaja’s defence when assessing the bowler’s behaviour.
“A lot of this stuff happens in the heat of battle,” Ponting told Sky Sports. “The only thing I’d say with Ollie[on Sunday] is Khawaja was on 140,Robinson hadn’t looked like getting a wicket all day,and he’s just sledged probably the nicest man that’s ever walked on the planet.”
Ponting himself had been referenced by Robinson in a post-match press conference that had seen him refuse to apologise for what he said.
“I was sitting back having some pizza and watching the US Open golf,and my phone lit up with what he had to say in his press conference,” Ponting continued.
“I was a little bit surprised just because it’s so long ago. If he had used one of the current players as an example,then fine,but I haven’t played for 11 years and probably haven’t sledged an Englishman for about 15.
“He must have a long memory.”
London Telegraph