'Forgettable cricketer' - Matthew Hayden lambasts Ollie Robinson for his aggressive behaviour in Edgbaston Test

The first Test in the Ashes usually sets the tone for the remainder of the series. This time, Australia fought tooth and nail and managed to win the thrilling contest by two wickets. Ashes has witnessed several heated moments, over the years, as cricketers from both teams play the game with utmost passion and vigour. While England have mostly been at the receiving end of some verbal volleys from their Australian counterparts, this time, Ollie Robinson, decided to begin the war of words.

In the first innings, Robinson dismissed Aussie opener Usman Khawaja, when he was batting on 141. After bagging the prized scalp, the England pacer gave a fiery send-off, that irked a section of cricket fans, especially, the Australian media. Robinson, however, defended his actions, saying that it is the Ashes and moments like these do happen. He also mentioned that Ricky Ponting and other Australian players have dished out verbal volleys, on several occasions in the past. Then, on Day 5, Robinson and Khawaja had an ugly argument during the drinks break.

This didn't go down well with many. Matthew Hayden, lambasted Robinson for his comments, calling him a "forgettable cricketer".

"That's how you combat England as well. As soon as Pat Cummins started coming at Joe Root and hit a couple of sixes," Hayden said during a conversation with former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy. "Then the other bloke; he's a forgettable cricketer. A fast bowler that is bowling 124 (kph) nude nuts and he's got a mouth from the south." When Healy asked, "Who, Ollie Robinson?", Hayden replied, "Someone like him, you can just go, 'Brother, I'm coming at ya'.

If you're going to talk to Australian cricketers in an Ashes series, back it up with your skills: Ricky Ponting

Former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting came down hard on the 29-year-old Ollie Robinson after he felt that it was unusual for him to bring up his name, while speaking about his send-off to Khawaja. Ponting, warned that if a player wants to engage in a war of words with Australian cricketers during an Ashes, they must have the skills to walk the talk as well.

"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," Ponting told the ICC Review podcast.

Other Australian cricketers like Allan Border and Ian Healy have also criticized Robinson for his actions.