Ollie Robinson has given England a boost by saying he expects to be “100 per cent fit” for the fourth Ashes Test next week at Emirates Old Trafford.
The sailor managed just 11.2 overs in the third Test at Headingley before suffering a back spasm and despite making a six-ball cameo with the bat and pitching in Australia’s second inning, he never bowled again .
Robinson was told he had a heavy workload in the second Test at Lord’s – in which he threw 50.4 overs in two innings – and that only a four-day break in play between games was likely to blame for his injury.
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But England defied their absence to record a three-wicket win, meaning they are 2-1 down in the five-game series, and Robinson will be hoping to retain his place next time after falling into a 14- full squad for Manchester.
“It was so frustrating getting that back cramp on day one,” Robinson wrote in his column for Wisden.com. “I was really looking forward to bowling and it was going well, but things like that happen.”
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Wednesday, July 19, 10:00 a.m
“If I had back cramps before, they usually got worse and I could feel them coming. While this happened upon landing, it was just a sudden, rapid stabbing sensation in the back.”
“I think we recognized it earlier than in the past. I had an acupuncture treatment and a short treatment and I was fine after that. On the third day, I was available to bowl if needed.”
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“The medical team said it probably happened because I played back-to-back friendlies and threw 15 overs with bumpers at Lord’s. Sometimes things like that happen, but then they go just as fast. Me.” “I’m 100 per cent fit for Manchester.”
Will Robinson return to Old Trafford?
Robinson, who received a lower back injection before the County season began, is struggling to keep his spot as James Anderson urges to be present at his home stadium for the penultimate Test, which begins Wednesday, while the extra Josh Tongue’s pace is also a consideration.
Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes are expected to remain in the eleven, as is fast bowler Mark Wood, who toped 96.5mph at Headingley, taking seven wickets and 40 with the bat on 24 balls in both innings contributed.
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“I’ve never seen a spell like Woody’s that first morning,” said Robinson. “I was fine after the first over and I was standing no more than 15 yards behind (wicketkeeper) Johnny (Bairstow) and I was literally like, ‘This is the fastest thing I’ve ever seen.’ It was crazy.”
“The fact that he could always get the form and movement at that speed was just incredible bowling. It was just amazing to watch and be a part of.”
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Robinson added of his quirky teammate, “Woody just has this crazy, unique energy. There is no one like him.”
“This is a guy who got on all fours on the locker room floor 10 minutes before we went out, literally at 10:50 a.m. and said, ‘There’s a dog in the locker room. There’s a dog in here, boys.” ‘.”
Follow day one of the fourth Ashes Test live between England and Australia Sky sports cricket on Wednesday 19 July. Setup begins at 10 a.m., before the first ball at 11 a.m. You can stream the Ashes series for men and women NOW.
