Robinson given fresh shot to prove England fitness

OLLIE ROBINSON will have another chance to prove his fitness to England when he faces New Zealand for a County Select XI. The rain that ruined the tourists’ first warm-up game against Sussex restricted Robinson (below) to 18 overs at Hove as he strives to regain England’s trust after a winter when his fitness came into question. Now he has been picked to spearhead the attack of a team who will come together over four days at Chelmsford starting on Thursday. It will be New Zealand’s last preparation ahead of the first Test at Lord’s on June 2. Robinson is joined in the team by Warwickshire opener Dom Sibley, who has changed his technique after being dropped by England in pursuit of a recall at the highest level. There is also a place for Kent’s Ben Compton, the leading run-scorer in the first division of the County Championship this season with 878 — including four centuries. The team has been selected in conjunction with counties, who are conscious of having their best players available for the start of the Vitality Blast, which begins this week. The Select XI will be overseen by Lions coach Richard Dawson, who said: ‘We have selected a strong squad who deserve the opportunity to test themselves against high-class international opposition.’ COUNTY SELECT XI: Jack Blatherwick (Lancs), Michael Burgess (Warks), Ben Compton (Kent), Ben Gibbon (Worcs), Nick Gubbins (Hants), Tom Haines (Sussex), Lyndon James (Notts), Ryan Patel (Surrey), Liam Patterson-White (Notts), Jamie Porter (Essex), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire).