NO QUICK FIX FOR CRICKET BUT OLLIE HAS HOPE
ENGLAND paceman Ollie Robinson believes it could take two years before cricket fully recovers from the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on the game.
The 27-year-old Sussex bowler, who was earlier this month named as a reserve for England’s tour of Sri Lanka, saw the 2020 season badly restricted by coronavirus.
Hove bosses furloughed the majority of both their playing and non-playing staff before a shortened county cricket season got under way.
Plans have been drawn up for a full calendar for 2021 but Robinson knows all too well the effect another Covid-affected campaign would have on the game.
‘Financially, we all know clubs, counties and England have been hit pretty hard,’ he told Metro.
‘It’s a massive shame. Cricket was growing after England won the 2019 World Cup but now it’s going to maybe take a couple of summers to get it back in track.
‘Hopefully we can get a full summer of cricket next year, followed by the Ashes in the winter and get the love for the sport growing again.’
Robinson, who began playing 20 years ago at Margate, also feels supporting grassroots sport has never been more important.
He said: ‘Margate played a massive part in my career. It was massive for my development as a cricketer.
‘I played there until I was 16 and we reached National Cup finals. It was a great time. ‘We have to ensure people, kids, adults get off the sofa and come and play sport again.
‘I hope that the year we have had hasn’t made people lazy.’ Robinson flies out with England on January 2 and hopes to partner Sussex team-mate Jofra Archer in the Ashes next winter.
‘I spoke to the selectors about it when I was with the Lions in the summer and they said they are looking at me for the Ashes,’ he added. ‘I obviously would have liked to have been in the main squad this time, not on the reserve list, but I just have to be ready when called upon and put some pressure on the players ahead of me by taking wickets when I get the chance.
‘The dream would be to have Robinson and Archer opening the bowling for England.’