Why England have forgiven Ollie Robinson

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.

It set the tone for an eventful England career that will come full circle this week when Robinson takes the new ball against New Zealand at Lord’s once more.

The last time he played Test cricket, Robinson tweaked his back batting in England’s first innings against India at Ranchi. With the series poised at 2-1 to the hosts, he was only able to bowl 13 wicketless overs during which he barely hit 80mph.

The frustration from England over his fitness was compounded by what were perceived as off-field issues, namely bringing his then-girlfriend, golf influencer Mia Baker, on the entire tour. The couple’s decision to record a podcast – “Chatting Balls” – on tour, also went down badly. One particularly toe-curling episode where Robinson boasted about travelling with England on private jets was taken down at the request of team management.

England coach Brendon McCullum last week rather disingenuously said about Robinson: “A lot was said and a lot was written and not a lot of it was accurate.”

Yet those in India in early 2024, including this correspondent, were told a very different story by multiple sources.

It’s why, when he spoke to The i Paper in early April, he admitted he hadn’t spoken to anybody involved with England since that tour, adding: “I’m still a bit confused as to what happened for me just to be sort of disregarded.”

Things have changed markedly in the weeks since. He is now back and ready to seize his second chance. What, though, has changed?

In short, England are desperate for quality new-ball bowlers after the retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. They cannot ignore someone of the quality of Robinson, particularly when he has transformed himself off the field since those dark days in India.

What has changed for Robinson on a personal level has also had a positive effect on his on-field performances.

He must be commended for talking so openly about his mental health issues around the time of that India tour – when he was going through a break-up with the mother of his daughter. He has since settled down, marrying Baker last year, and taking on more responsibility at his county Sussex, where he was made captain at the start of this summer.

At 32, he is a more mature and balanced character. This summer he has bowled 160.3 overs in the County Championship, taking 18 wickets at 26.27 and going at less than three runs an over.

From seemingly being consigned to the international scrapheap two years ago, this series against New Zealand is an opportunity for Robinson to establish himself as the leader of an inexperienced attack heading into next summer’s home Ashes series.

Doubts still persist about his fitness – and whether he can sustain his optimum pace for multiple spells.

Only on 6 May, Paul Farbrace, his head coach at Sussex, and Grant Flower, the county’s batting coach, questioned Robinson’s readiness for a return to Test cricket on the Farby and Friends podcast.

“I don’t at this stage, think he’s ready for that first Test, regarding the bowling loads and how you have to run in for a full Test match,” said Flower.

Farbrace added: “To be fair, I’d have said the same thing. I think in terms of his spells, I think he’s getting better and it might be in a month’s time he’s absolutely flying.”

McCullum, responding to those comments last week, said: “We’ve had enough feedback which suggests he’s going to be a live threat in this Test series. We don’t know but he deserves his opportunity.”

One well-placed source at Sussex this week told The i Paper they have no concerns about Robinson’s fitness, saying: “He’s good to go.”

England will dearly hope their calculated gamble on his recall pays off. If it does, it will be one of the great cricketing redemption arcs.