Leicestershire 210 and 333 for 9 (Patel 68, Swindells 57, Azad 54, Lenham 4-84) drew with Sussex 450 (Clark, 138, Carter 72, Haines 50)
One regarded hungry for an England debut, one regarded as if his England profession was in abeyance. Robinson bowled solely seven overs within the day, three of seam, 4 of spin. He would have been higher with a literal lack of starvation earlier than the match – the after-results of his meals poisoning on the eve of the sport, in accordance with Sussex’s head coach, Ian Salisbury, remained debilitating.
“Ollie wasn’t himself all match after the food poisoning,” he mentioned. “He just couldn’t perform. The sickness affected him massively, he had two drips on the first day.”
In idea, Robinson may bowl out the New Zealanders at Hove subsequent week and go to Lord’s along with his kind and popularity restored, however the squad is anticipated to be chosen earlier than that recreation with a collection of gatherings and health assessments in thoughts. To title Robinson within the squad – and likewise to permit him to have a go on the vacationers to show his worthiness – could be a substantial present of religion.
In some methods, England’s resolution will mirror their view of county cricket as a result of Robinson is the archetypal county cricketer in an age when usually they’re searching for nothing of the kind.
As a county-type bowler, a participant hardly in vogue, his returns over 4 seasons had been distinctive. He had discovered to hunt out seam or swing relying on situations. And he had a wonderful document with the previous ball in addition to the brand new. He pressured his choice by means of efficiency.
Thirty-one Test wickets at 21.28 in his maiden summer season of 2021 advised he had made the transition, however even with such an excellent document, his suitability for worldwide cricket stays beneath query. There had been the doubtful social media posts, the undercurrent of unreliability. But he was indisputably certainly one of England’s premier seam bowlers and as such he was awarded his first central contract in October.
In Leicester, because of meals as but unknown, he has didn’t make his case. In solely his second Championship look of the season, he bowled just one over on the primary day due to his abdomen upset. Whilst not understanding his true medical state by the ultimate day (and it shouldn’t be airily dismissed) he would have been higher being sick with exhaustion on the pitch. He nonetheless had inquiries to reply and he flunked the examination.
He bowled three overs with the second new ball, taking a wicket with a loosener as Ben Mike checked a drive to further cowl, the place Cheteshwar Pujara held a high quality diving catch, and was then withdrawn from the assault. He reappeared with the second new ball nonetheless solely 12 overs previous to bowl 4 overs of inconsequential offspin. Then no extra. Barring, presumably, a little bit of nausea and a lie down.
It must be conceded that he’s a good offspinner. As a teen, he was a batter who bowled spin, he has bowled it at occasions for Sussex with some success and he despatched down three overs on this guise in sun shades in the course of the Melbourne Test in December. But on the day that Sussex wanted a matchwinner and England wanted a sign, circumstance dictated that he may present neither.
The end result leaves each counties with out a win on the foot of the Second Division, however it is going to be Sussex who will likely be deflated after seemingly being destined to say their first Championship victory since April final 12 months just for 27 overs misplaced to afternoon showers to value them expensive. Even when Delray Rawlins prised out each Swindells and Parkinson in fast succession, Swindells’ 57 from 178 balls coming to grief at quick further, Parkinson (45 from 176) bowled by a faster one, there was no Robinson to be seen.
But if not Robinson then whom? The minute that England’s revamped trio of Rob Key, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes start to debate their quick-bowling shares, their sense of optimism will come beneath critical problem.
Of the 11 specialist quicks to play in a Test within the final two years, solely 5 featured on this spherical of the Championship. Of these, the previous stagers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, had been as resilient as ever and are sure picks after being excluded from an experimental West Indies tour get together. Craig Overton had a knee-harm scare earlier than returning to duties in Somerset’s win in Bristol, however Robinson should now be a significant doubt.
Some of the absentees may but make a shock inclusion within the England squad. Chris Woakes stays troubled by shoulder and knee bother; Olly Stone and Sam Curran are recovering from stress fractures of the again (Curran bowled two overs of spin himself at Beckenham); and Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will try returns from elbow operations sooner or later this summer season in white-ball cricket.
Two absentees from the Roses match, nonetheless, can’t be fully dominated out. Lancashire’s Saqib Mahmood has a stiff again and little cricket behind him, however there is no such thing as a analysis a few critical harm. The identical could be mentioned of Matt Fisher, whose briefly profitable begin to the season at Yorkshire rapidly gave option to fears a few “hot spot” in his again and estimates of a precautionary 4-week lay-off that has now elapsed. Tom Helm, of Middlesex, has lengthy been monitored, and has 14 wickets at 12.28 however he once more is way from match.
Fast-bowler accidents usually are not simply afflicting England wannabees. Don Topley, the previous Essex seamer, and commentator, calculated that round 30 fast bowlers had been absent for the beginning of the season. Since then, the counties have undertaken six matches apiece in a relentless opening part of seven matches in as many weeks. Demanding pitches, and excessive scores have made them the equal of seven again-to-again Tests. The Dukes balls are mentioned to be not swinging as a lot and are susceptible to going out of form. Perhaps quick bowlers are breaking down simply by interested by it.
David Hopps writes on county cricket for ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps