OLLIE DEALT WITH TEST OF TIME
Robinson’s in fine form for the Ashes
OLLIE ROBINSON is tearing up the record books in an England shirt. And despite being knocked down more times than Anthony Joshua, he’s proving himself a heavyweight quick bowler on the international stage.
After a week that saw the Aussies name their squad for the Ashes, it’s worth remembering that none of Australia’s bowlers has a Test bowling average lower than Robinson’s
21.27.
Although Pat
Cummins, the opposition’s skipper for this summer’s tour, is mighty close, Robinson has now taken 66 wickets in just 16 Tests – and only seven English bowlers in history can better his strike rate of 2.47.
Not bad going for a player who was sacked by Yorkshire in 2014.
Little wonder that he is still pinching himself as the old enemy ready themselves for battle – and Robinson, 29, prepares to run out alongside the golden duo of Stuart Broad (above, top) and Jimmy Anderson (above, bottom).
“I should win the Ashes and retire,” Robinson said, laughing. “It has been an amazing winter and since Baz (England coach Brendon Mccullum) and Ben Stokes (captain) took over, English cricket has taken off.
“It just feels special at the moment.they (Broad and
Anderson) are once-in-alifetime cricketers, I’m not sure we’ll ever see two bowlers like them again.
“I get on really well with them. It’s just such a nice feeling to watch them apply their craft.
“And I think with every win we get, their celebrations are getting bigger and bigger.”
Robinson has crammed a lot into his own career after being released by Yorkshire, then drifting around county cricket before being snapped up by Sussex and enjoying a new lease of life on the south coast.
He was then banned for historical racist and sexist tweets, which came to light during his Test debut against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2021.
After serving an eight-match ban
– five of them suspended for two years – Robinson has become one of the most reliable members of this England bowling attack.
And he believes his setbacks have only served to make him stronger.
“It has been a rollercoaster,” he said. “I’ve been through the mill but I also had an amazing time doing it.
“It has been a weird eight or nine years since I got sacked by Yorkshire but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“It has made me the person I am now and the cricketer I am now.
“I’m resilient and tough because of the things I’ve been through.
“It has been a dream come true really to be a professional cricketer and then play for England.
“It’s a massive summer coming up and winning the
Ashes would really be the icing on the cake.”