'In the rough mate' - Usman Khawaja shows Ollie Robinson his place with cheeky reply during their banter in second innings of first Ashes Test

The first of the five-match Ashes Test series turned out to be an intense affair with two great teams giving their best to get the all-important lead. In the end, it was Australia who eked out a memorable two-wicket win. Chasing 281 in the fourth innings, Australia notched up the remaining 174 runs on Day 5 thanks to a gritty 65-run knock from Usman Khawaja and composed 44* from captain Pat Cummins.

During Khawaja's knock, he showed a lot of patience and left a lot of deliveries. His 65 came off 197 balls at a strike rate of 32.99. Ollie Robinson, wasn't too thrilled with Khawaja leaving one of his half-volleys on off stump though. This was the last ball before the drinks break.

Robinson didn't like the southpaw's defensive approach and this was the conversation between them, which got captured on the stump mic:

“Freebie, isn’t it?” Robinson said. “Half volley, field up?”

“In the rough mate,” responded Khawaja. “That’s why you’re not a batsman.”

“Nice to see you say something,” came Robinson’s reply.

“Be careful what you say, mate,” said Khawaja.

They went back and forth during the drinks break before the experienced James Anderson pulled his compatriot away from the Australian batters. As per reporters at the ground, umpire Marais Erasmus spoke to Robinson after the incident. Following this, Robinson gave a friendly pat on the back to Khawaja before play resumed following the drinks break.

The right-arm pacer gave an animated send-off to Khawaja in the first innings after getting his wicket. However, the 29-year-old defended his actions as he said that things happened in the heat of the moment and he didn't care how he was going to be perceived outside.

"I don't really care how it's perceived," Robinson said of the first incident. "It's the Ashes, it's professional sport. If you can't handle that, what can you handle?" the lanky pacer said during the press conference.

It’s an Ashes – at times it’s going to be pretty exciting and hostile cricket

Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey said that he was unaware of the situation between Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja. Carey mentioned that Khawaja also hadn't told him anything about it. However, Carey stated that it's the Ashes and it is going to be "pretty exciting and hostile."

"Usman hasn't said anything," Carey was quoted as saying by Daily Mail. 

"It's the Ashes, at times it will be pretty exciting and hostile cricket," he said. "I didn't see anything over the top there," the Aussie stumper concluded.