KIWIS WILL BE BOWLED OVER BY OLLIE
OLLIE ROBINSON has promised to steam into New Zealand if he makes his Test debut this week. The Sussex seamer, 27, has long prepared for walking out to play for England and he knows the international arena is no place for shrinking violets. At 6ft 4in it would be hard for Robinson to go unnoticed, but you get the sense that he is determined to make the stage his own, starting against the Kiwis. “I’d say I am a wholehearted cricketer. As soon as I cross the white line, there’s a different edge to me which people might not have seen from county cricket,” said Robinson ahead of the first Test at Lord’s on Wednesday.
“I will be getting in New Zealand’s faces and trying to gee the boys up a bit.
“Just bringing that little extra edge, I’ll be going fairly hard.
“I call it ‘white line fever’ where I’m a changed character when I go on the field. It just gives me that little extra boost when I’m able to go at players.”
Robinson will certainly be up against some decent cricketers in the shape of
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, but as a former team-mate of them both he is well aware of the challenge that awaits.
“The fact I know them fairly well from playing with them at Yorkshire and Sussex probably makes it a little bit easier,” he added.
“It will be maybe hard on the first day. I might have a few nerves, but I think that’s my way of taking my thoughts elsewhere and getting myself into the game.
“Showing some strong body language, having a few verbals and being up and about and in the contest.”
If the highly-rated star can back up his words with deeds this summer it is easy to see how he might be a big asset in the winter Ashes series Down Under.
Robinson can also point to the influence of former Aussie bowler-turnedcoach Jason Gillespie at both Yorkshire where his professionalism needed improving and he was sacked – and then Sussex where he has blossomed.
“He’s helped me with my bowling but also off the field as well,” said Robinson.
“After what happened at Yorkshire, we cleared the air and he’s played a big part in my career.
“The Ashes is always in the back of your mind. It’s huge for English cricket.”