I’ll be ready for an England call when lockdown is over
Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson is determined to stay at the peak of fitness during the lockdown–- in case he gets a phone call from England when cricket resumes.
In the past two County Championship seasons, Robinson has taken 137 wickets – more than any other seamer.
Duanne Olivier (168) and Peter Siddle (147) were the only seam bowlers on the planet to take more wickets across 2018 and 2019.
The Rig, as he is known by his teammates, is in the form of his life. Under the guidance of Jason Gillespie and Sussex’s strength and conditioning team, Robinson has never bowled better and never been fitter.
The 26-year-old has developed into one of the most feared bowlers on the Championship circuit, and has gained attention on the international stage.
After his first call-up last summer, Robinson starred for England Lions in Australia this winter, producing a match-winning performance at The MCG in an unofficial day-night Test.
The seamer finished with match figures of 7-147 as the tourists romped to a ninewicket win – the Lions’ first victory against Australia A.
“I feel like I’ve had good momentum over the past few years and going into the winter tour to Australia, I felt that I was in a good place physically, mentally, cricket wise, everything really.” said Robinson.
“After that game at The MCG, Mo Bobat pulled me for a chat one evening and said that he was impressed with what he had seen. He told me to keep striving and that they see me and a few other lads as the next guys in.
“He said they want me to get even fitter than I am now, and that his aim is to put players in the England team when they’re at their best, so they don’t play a couple of games then come straight back out.
“His challenge for me was to be at my best all the time, or to be as good as I possibly can be over the next few years, so that when I do go in, I stay in.
“They were really positive chats in Australia and it was a great tour. I think we were the first England Lions team in history to win in Australia – or maybe to not even lose in Australia.”
Off the back of two incredible seasons and an eye-catching international tour, you’d think the current situation couldn’t have come at a worse time for Robinson.
The Sussex star is refusing to see the negatives of cricket being postponed until at least the end of May, however, and is finding the positives.
“For cricket to be put on the backburner for two or three months is tough. From a personal view, I had a decent winter and was excited to kick on after last summer.
“But, at the same time, it’s keeping me driven at home to stay in the best shape possible. Everyone is shocked at the situation we’ve found ourselves in, but we have to realise this is best for us all and that cricket needs to take a back seat.
“When it comes around again, I want to be fit and ready to impress straight away. Hopefully I’ll then be ahead of people who haven’t been as driven during this period and put my hand up if England come calling.”