ENGLAND NAME SQUAD FOR INDIA TESTS
OLLIE ROBINSON was recalled to the England squad yesterday for next month’s first two matches of a Test series against India following a Twitter racism row that overshadowed his debut.
Robinson received an eight-game ban, five of them deferred, for racist and sexist tweets he posted in 2012 and 2013 that came to light again during the 27-year-old’s test bow against New Zealand at Lord’s in June.
But a disciplinary hearing paved the way for the seamer to feature against India after deeming Robinson had already served a three-game ban, having been suspended from the second test against New Zealand and then dropping out of two Twenty20 matches for county side Sussex.
Robinson performed well on his England debut, taking seven wickets — including a haul of 4-75 — and making a useful 42 in a drawn series opener at Lord’s.
But the Twitter storm meant he was suspended from international duty and missed an eight-wicket defeat in the second and final Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston, a reverse that saw England lose their first Test series at home in seven years. But he is now back in the squad for the opening two matches of a five-Test campaign against India at Trent Bridge (starting on 4 August) and Lord’s (12 August).
“We have selected Ollie Robinson after his seven-wicket Test debut against New Zealand,” said head coach Chris Silverwood in an England and
Wales Cricket Board statement.
“Ollie proved in that Test that he has the ability to replicate his outstanding form in the County Championship at international level and we will continue to work with him to develop his England career.”
SQUAD
Joe Root (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler
ENGLAND V INDIA FIXTURES
Aug 4-8: 1ST Test, Trent Bridge, Nottingham Aug 12-16: 2ND Test, Lord’s, London
Aug 25-29: 3RD Test, Emerald Headingley, Leeds Sep 2-6: 4TH Test, Kia Oval, London
Sep 10-14: 5TH Test, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. SuperSport.