There have never been any doubts about Ollie Robinson’s status as a top-tier international seam bowler. His record of 76 wickets at 22.92 across his 20 Tests to date is testament to that.
It’s why when he was recalled by England for the first time in more than two years for the upcoming series against New Zealand, director of cricket Rob Key enthused: “When he’s fit and bowling at a decent pace for him, which is around 82-83 miles per hour, he is world-class. When you look at his record, he is one of the few bowlers right up there statistically, in all the bowlers globally, of all time.”
High praise indeed. Yet the doubts about Robinson’s fitness are not the only issue for a player whose relationship with England would best be described as complicated.
Given the way it all started, we shouldn’t be surprised. The end of his first day as a Test cricketer against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2021 saw his racist and sexist social media posts from nine years previously unearthed in the media. A chastening public statement and post-play press conference apologising for those followed.
Robinson made his England debut against India in 2021 (Photo: Getty)
