Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OLLIE EYES BASH AT ASHES
Forgotten man is ready to grab limelight
OLLIE ROBINSON would be within his rights to feel slightly puzzled about his international prospects after the last 12 months.
In the 55-man bubble which convened for behind-closed-doors training last May, he made the 30man squad for the West Indies series and was one of nine reserves for the first Test last summer.
After missing out on that, the Sussex pace ace, 27, made the squad for the second Test and again for the second Test against Pakistan.
This winter, Robinson has been one of seven reserves for the Test series against Sri Lanka in December and for India in January.
Back-up, reserve, net bowler, uncomplaining tourist, drinks carrier and everything in between. But he is still awaiting his first cap.
After a year like that, Robinson may be forgiven for losing heart or at least feeling a little underrated.
But ahead of the start of the new County Championship next Thursday, he says neither is true.
Far from being disillusioned, Robinson believes a breakthrough against India in June will come and following from that, a place in the Ashes squad for next winter. He said: “They have told me to look towards the India series in June so that is my aim at the moment .
“I’ve got to start the season well with Sussex and hopefully get in that squad and in the XI.
“Beyond that this summer is massive for me. Maybe not performance wise as much as in previous years because I feel England see and know what I do.
“But I just need to get that breakthrough in a Test or series to cement my place and be on that plane to Australia really. That is the most important thing for me this year.”
Robinson’s 6ft 5in frame, accuracy and his experience Down Under from the Lions’ one ‘Test’ tour in February – when he took 7-145 at the MCG – showed he could be useful next winter.
He added: “My strengths are my accuracy and my height and I know what I’m good at. So every time I go into a net session or a game that’s what I try to deliver.
“I’ve been to Australia three times now for grade cricket and once for the Lions and I feel like my experiences there are good enough to perform if called upon even if I didn’t make my debut this summer.”
Robinson has come a long way since he was sacked by Yorkshire for poor timekeeping and training back in 2014.
Since then he has grown up and flourished at Hove, reaching the milestone of 250 first class wickets.
He said: “England have drilled into me that they want me to work just as hard for Sussex as I did with them and if I want to have a long international career that’s what I must do for the rest of my career.”
All he needs now is for it to start.