Ollie Robinson insists he is ‘one hundred pc match’ for Old Trafford after again spasm
Ollie Robinson has declared himself “100 percent fit” for the fourth males’s Ashes Test at Emirates Old Trafford, regardless of again spasms limiting him to 11.2 overs in England’s win at Headingley.
Robinson left the sphere on the primary afternoon, halfway via an over, and didn’t return in the beginning of Australia’s second innings on the second day, having batted in England’s first innings. He did subject on the third day however was not used with the ball, and was not required with the bat in England’s run-chase.
“It was so frustrating to get that back spasm on day one,” Robinson wrote in his Wisden.com column. “Normally, when I’ve had back spasms before, they’ve built up and I would feel it coming on. Whereas this was on landing, it was just a sudden, quick, stabbing feeling in the back.
“I instructed Stokesy [Ben Stokes], and he mentioned to get off and see the physio. I believe we caught it sooner than I’ve performed prior to now. I had some acupuncture, a little bit of remedy, and I used to be effective after that. I used to be accessible to bowl on the third day if I’d been wanted.”
Robinson made 5 not out in a “surreal” first-innings partnership with Stokes that was worth 38 from 29 balls, and looked on as England’s captain launched five sixes and one more four in a vital 80 from 109 balls that was crucial in reducing his team’s deficit to a mere 26.
“I used to be on that many painkillers due to my again spasm the day earlier than that I used to be sort of spaced out,” Robinson wrote. “I used to be so relaxed, so calm.”
He believes that the tight turnaround between the second and third Tests, and his heavy workload at Lord’s – where he bowled 50.4 overs in the match – contributed to his back spasm, a problem that has arisen previously in his career.
“That medical crew mentioned that it is more likely to have occurred as a result of I performed back-to-back Test matches, and bowled 15 overs of bumpers at Lord’s,” he said. “So generally these items come round, however then they go simply as shortly as nicely. I’m one hundred pc match for Manchester.”
England have named Robinson in their 14-man squad for the Old Trafford Test – which starts on Wednesday, July 19 – and their main decision to make surrounds the identity of their fourth seamer, with Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood expected to retain their spots.
Robinson is more likely to compete with James Anderson and Josh Tongue for the final spot, with Anderson insisting this week that “there’s absolutely no chance nostalgia will come into choice” ahead of what will be his last opportunity to play an Ashes Test at his home ground.
England trail 2-1 heading into the final two Tests, but Robinson wrote that their performances and style of play have been vindicated by a growth in public support and interest. “I’ve acquired mates who’ve by no means actually loved cricket messaging me saying how good it’s,” Robinson wrote.
“It’s a tremendous factor to be part of. It makes me proud to be English to be sincere, to see the influence it is having on folks, and seeing them loving what we’re doing. In the tip, that is why we play the sport. For the glory of it.”