I don't care how its perceived, we've seen Ricky Ponting, others do same to us: Ollie Robinson
He was responding to questions about him abusing Usman Khawaja on-field
English cricketer Ollie Robinson has defended his controversial send-off towards Australian batsman Usman Khawaja during the Ashes series, stating that he "doesn't care" how Australia perceives his actions and that he aims to provide the "theatre of the game."
Robinson dismissed Khawaja for 141 runs on the third morning at Edgbaston, uprooting his off stump as Khawaja attempted to play a shot through the off side. In his celebration, Robinson shouted towards Khawaja and appeared to use offensive language.
Speaking about the incident, Robinson expressed his excitement in claiming such a significant wicket, especially in his first home Ashes series. He acknowledged Khawaja's impressive innings and emphasized the importance of the wicket for the team. Robinson stated, "We all want that theatre of the game, don't we? So I'm here to provide it."
When questioned about whether abusing an opponent could be considered part of the game's theatre, Robinson referred to the passion of the Ashes and mentioned instances where Australian players have behaved similarly towards English teams in the past. He admitted that such actions are not justified, but suggested they happen in the heat of the moment.
"But I think when you're in the heat of the moment and you have the passion of the Ashes, that can happen. We've all seen Ricky Ponting, other Aussies do the same to us. Just because the shoe is on the other foot, it's not received well," he said.
Furthermore, when asked about the potential reception of his celebration by the Australian dressing room, Robinson expressed indifference, stating, "I don't really care how it's perceived, to be honest. It's the Ashes. It's professional sport. If you can't handle that, what can you handle?"
Robinson is expected to face disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct. He is likely to receive a fine and a demerit point for his actions, as per ICC regulations that prohibit players from using language or gestures that disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a dismissed batsman.
Despite the controversy surrounding his behavior, Robinson remains unapologetic and stands by his intention to contribute to the excitement and intensity of the Ashes series.
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Udupi CNG fuel shortage: Long queues of vehicles has become a common sight
Udupi (Karnataka) Apr 29: The coastal district of Udupi is going through a severe shortage of Compressed Natural Gas for Automotive applications.
Although the number of CNG fuel-based vehicles is increasing, the number of CNG filling stations in Udupi district has not risen. In the existing bunks, the supply is not as high as the demand. Due to this, motorists, especially rickshaw drivers have to wait for hours to get their fuel tanks filled.
“I've been waiting for not less than four-five hours everyday for the past one week. Most of the time my vehicle is idle and I am not able to take up fares, as a result of which I have lost so much of income and my bank obligations will take a beating if this continues any longer," Sundar Shetty, a rickshaw driver in Udupi said.
CNG fuel is not being supplied to existing bunks as per demand. And as the demand is high, the stock depletes quickly and sometimes the rickshaws are parked overnight in a queue for early morning refuelling, leaders of the CNG Autorickshaw Drivers Association said.
In Udupi town, there is only one bunk that has CNG facility, but most of the time it is empty.
“Due to high investment on land, equipment and daily stocks, there are not many takers for this business” the bunk owners said.
There is only one CNG station in Kundapura taluk out of three in Udupi district. There are more than 5,000 CNG based vehicles in the district.
The sight of hundreds of rickshaws and other vehicles waiting to fill CNG fuel at the CNG bank in Koteshwar every day from 4 am is very common.
Sometimes one has to wait till 8-9 o'clock. However, there is no guarantee that everyone will get fuel. Similar are the conditions in Karkala and Kundapur taluks of Udupi district.
The rickshaw drivers and other CNG users have appealed to the Udupi district authorities and approached the Udupi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to put pressure on the government to normalise supply and to open more bunks.
