How the sport of golf is causing controversy at The Ashes with both Australia and England fans unhappy

Add as preferred source on Google

The Ashes is just as important to cricket fans as the Ryder Cup is to those who love the game of golf.

Every couple of years, England and Australia will face off over five matches of Test cricket for one of the smallest trophies in sport.

Australia have struck the first blow this time around, winning inside two days in Perth. What threatened to be an enthralling opener turned into something of an anticlimax as the visitors crumbled after putting themselves in a commanding position.

Any England fan will tell you that feeling of dread after a first Ashes Test is nothing new, particularly when the series is being contested Down Under.

But what is new is the game of golf seemingly being viewed as the villain – by fans of both teams.

Why golf is already at the centre of controversy at the start of The Ashes

It is no secret that golf is a hobby for many elite cricketers. Arguably the greatest spinner of all-time, Shane Warne was the first player to make a hole in one to the back pin on the 16th hole at Augusta National.

Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja came in for criticism after having to leave the field during England’s first innings last Thursday. It turned out that the 38-year-old was dealing with back spasms.

Due to regulations surrounding time spent off the field, Khawaja had to subsequently move down the batting order when it came time for Australia’s reply. He was dismissed having made just two runs.

And it turned out that the veteran – who made his Test debut against England in 2011 – had played three rounds of golf in the days leading into the match. Former Australia bowler Mitchell Johnson told the West Australian that his teammates will not have been pleased with how much golf Khawaja had played.

Thankfully for the Aussies, the controversy did not impact their chances of victory.

England went on to capitulate and lose inside two days.

And some of Ben Stokes’ men now find themselves in hot water following their loss, with a number of players heading to the golf course to let off some steam.

England players in hot water for choosing to play golf but not feature in an upcoming warm-up game

In truth, it probably would have been a terrible move for the England team to prevent their players from getting out on the golf course. Many players have spoken about just how difficult it was touring when they had to remain in their bubbles and were incredibly restricted in where they could go four years ago.

However, there is no question that the optics do not look good at all.

The second Test is a day-night match where a pink ball will be used. It is a format Australia have excelled in over the years.

And it emerged that none of the England squad are set to be involved in a two-day warm-up game involving a pink ball in the build-up to the second Test.

Following such a humbling defeat in Perth, and given Australia’s record in day-night games, it appears to be a massive own goal from England’s top players to shy away from featuring in the warm-up match.

Certainly, should they lose in Brisbane at the start of December, their decision to play any golf at all will – rightly or wrongly – come under even greater scrutiny.