In a surprising development, England’s Ollie Robinson has joined Australia’s preparations for The Ashes after being excluded from the England Test squad. Robinson, 31, has not played Test cricket for 18 months and was dropped by England’s captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.
Robinson was part of the 2021/22 Ashes squad and holds an impressive Test record—76 wickets at an average of 22.92. However, struggles with fitness and discipline led to his removal from the team, with players like Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Matt Potts moving ahead in the selection order.
Robinson is currently playing Sydney Premier Cricket for the Sydney University club on a short-term contract. On November 6, he was seen bowling in the nets at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to Steve Smith, Australia’s upcoming Ashes captain.
"The right-armer bowled alongside Australia’s Test quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who were being put through their paces. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon was also present." — Sydney Morning Herald
This unexpected move by Robinson highlights his continuing passion for Test cricket, even while sidelined from England’s setup.
Author’s Summary: Exiled from the England Test team, Ollie Robinson is now aiding Australia’s Ashes preparation by bowling alongside their top players, showcasing resilience and dedication to the sport.