BROAD’S A BIG FAN OF HAPPY OLLIE DAYS
England great backs fellow quick Robinson
STUART BROAD is backing Ollie Robinson to make an explosive return to the Test stage and claims the troubled bowler can prove a real “match-winner”.
Sussex speedster Robinson has been recalled for England’s forthcoming series against South Africa, with the first clash starting at Lord’s in 10 days’ time.
The 28-year-old is back in the squad in place of the injured Jamie
Overton having been out of favour since enduring his welldocumented fitness problems.
Robinson burst onto the international scene in style with 39 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 21.28. But his rise to the top hit a brick wall when his fitness was criticised by bowling coach Jon Lewis after the fifth Test against Australia in Hobart.
He then missed the three Tests against West Indies in March with a back problem and various fitness issues blighted his start to the home summer.
But Robinson, who had an injection in his back in June and returned to action for Sussex only recently, hopes to prove his form and fitness playing for the Lions against South Africa in a four-day game at Canterbury this week.
And Broad insists: “It’s good to have him back. Ollie is an incredible bowler. He has all the attributes you need to be a topclass performer. He’s just had trouble with his fitness.
Spasms
“He’s been having back spasms at the start of games but there is such a big leap from first class to Test cricket in terms of the intensity, expectation, etc. You have to come back to your third spell with the same drive and pace that you did with your first.
“It can take different people different times to react and adjust to that. But, as I say, he has everything you need to be a Test match fast bowler and his record after just eight matches is sublime.
“His next move is making sure he is available to bowl.
“If you are not available to be on the park you are not going to be able to take wickets. But he has the ability to win Test matches for
England.” Broad (below) is confident England can continue their sensational summer form when they face South Africa as they attempt to make it five Test wins in a row for the first time since 2018.
Brendon Mccullum has made an immediate impact since taking over the coaching reins with a 3-0 win over New Zealand and then that remarkable victory over India. Broad is also relishing his new role as ‘night hawk’ in the team – a title put upon him by head coach Mccullum – whose attack-minded playing philosophy has made the old nightwatchman tradition obsolete. He added: “It is completely made up.
“At Trent Bridge I sat there watching Joe Root make hundred, Ollie Pope make hundred and Baz came to me in the dressing room after I’d made myself a nice coffee. He said, ‘Broady get your pads’ and I’m like ‘What?’. ‘I want you go in next! I feel like the crowd are just a bit quiet. Try and hit first ball for four and if you get out after that I don’t mind you’ve given the crowd a lift!’
“That’s an insight into his mentality. But the term ‘night hawk’ came at Edgbaston.
“Normally we have a nightwatchman with 20 minutes to go to protect the next quality batter. But he came to me with 40 minutes to go in the chase when we needed another 270 or so and said, ‘Do you fancy going in?’ I said, ‘OK...‘ He said, ‘Try and whack me 20 as quick as you can. Try and catch the enemy when they are sleeping.’.
“That’s where the night hawk came from. The only aim to try and whack it for 20 minutes. If I got out it was fine.
“But that’s him. He has an amazing ability to take pressure off the players. It means the likes of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow can just come out and implement what they have in their locker with their minds set free. He would prefer you to get caught on the boundary than at slip.
“It has been an amazing turnaround. The messaging from Bern Stokes and Baz has been so positive. It’s a win at all cost. We want to win but if we lose it doesn’t matter so much.
“It’s been an incredible start to the summer with the four Test wins. It is our job to entertain and do it again throughout August.”