Ollie Robinson reveals Brendon McCullum encouragement as he eyes England Test recall

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Ollie Robinson feels readier than he ever has done to play for England, with the Sussex captain revealing head coach Brendon McCullum messaged him at the start of the county season to let him know a recall was on the table.

Robinson, 32, played the last of his 20 Tests in 2024, finishing that initial chapter with 76 dismisses at 22.92. Despite that impressive record, England chose to move on after his relationship with the management group of McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes subsequently soured at the end of the tour of India.

Robinson has since emerged as a strong contender to lead England’s attack this summer. Following erratic bowling displays during the 4-1 Ashes loss over the winter, England have decided to look to someone who can lead the attack, while also providing a reliable seam option to dovetail with the pacier options.

Robinson and Sam Cook are seen as two standout candidates for that role. The latter made his one-and-only Test appearance against Zimbabwe last summer and has taken 15 wickets at 21.73 for Essex this season. Robinson, by comparison, has 11 at 28.54 this domestic season, a figure bumped up by 1 for 99 across 27 overs in Sussex’s defeat to Surrey at the Kia Oval. He did, however, record only his second first-class century, an unbeaten 100 off 190 deliveries to help resurrect his side’s innings from 92 for 7.

Robinson acknowledged in pre-season he would have to “knock the door down” to earn a recall. While he has not quite done that, Robinson revealed he was informed by McCullum at the start of the summer that it was already open. He has also received encouraging messages from men’s managing director, Rob Key, who has watched Robinson live at Hove as part of his early summer county visits.

It is understood it is not just Robinson’s skill and height that hold him in good stead, but also his desire to get in the face of opposition batters. It is a trait Key admires and something the current England attack lacks following the retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

England are expected to name their squad for the New Zealand Test series in the week of May 18 ahead of the first Test at Lord’s on June 4. Robinson, who debuted against the same opponents at the same venue in 2021, feels ready to come back to the biggest stage, spurred on by encouragement from those who could make the dream of a recall a reality.

“I had a text from Baz at the start of the season, just to say that the door was still open, which was nice,” Robinson said. “Keysy rang me, as well, to say ‘take wickets, knock the door down’ and there’s still a spot for you.

“Keysy came down to the Warwickshire game, at Hove, and just text me saying how well I bowled, how nice my rhythm looked. It was really nice to hear that from him.

“For me, at the start of the season when I took the captaincy on, I didn’t realise the door was still open. I thought it was closed. It’s definitely spurred me on so far this season.”

Part of Robinson’s readiness appears to be stability away from cricket. In 2023, he broke up with his long-term partner – the mother of his daughter – and is now married to golf influencer Mia Baker, with the pair expecting their first child later this year.

“Everyone knows I had a lot going on,” Robinson said. “I’ve got a lot of clarity now on that situation. My mind is on cricket and nothing else. I’ve got the love for the game back I would say. I fell out of love with it and it took me a while to get back to where I wanted to be. I just feel refreshed now, like I’ve got another chapter to give, and hopefully to England.”

Another important aspect is Robinson’s improved fitness. It was during his last cap, the fourth Test against India at Ranchi, that he twinged his back while batting in the first innings. It meant he could only bowl 13 overs in the match – all in India’s first innings – and a vital drop of Dhruv Jurel was a contributing factor to England’s series-defining defeat.

Though unfortunate for Robinson, it was another example of poor conditioning leaving his team-mates in the lurch. It also came at the end of that tour in which he had not endeared himself to the management.

They were taken aback early when Robinson announced a series of podcasts with Baker, which ended up revealing a number of behind-the-scenes details that angered the ECB. The sixth episode, which discussed the team’s mid-season break to Abu Dhabi, was taken down at the behest of the governing body.

Robinson is under no doubt his fitness has improved, as evidenced by his century and a defiant 42 in the second innings on day four after 158.2 overs in the field. He also feels what disagreements there were do not need to be addressed, particularly with Stokes and McCullum.

“I was probably just exhausted emotionally, physically, from cricket and maybe not being fit enough for the Test arena. I played for three years and I think the last year I probably only played a few games [six Tests between the start of 2023 and the end of February 2024]. I had two or three back spasms.

“I’ve probably learned a bit more about my body since then. Mentally I’m a lot clearer, with a lot less baggage and I think that does affect the body as well. I’ve trained harder, and… I probably feel more ready now than I did when I first got into the England team. And I’ve probably grown up a bit since then as well. Hopefully that all helps if I get the call.

“I have no issues, I never have to be honest. I love Stokesy as a guy, I really enjoyed Baz [McCullum] when I was playing. A few things went on in India… I don’t know what they really were. We’ve never really ironed anything out if there were big issues. I think to get the message from Baz and the call from Keysy suggests, whatever it was, the door is open and just to perform and try and get back in. It’s just nice to know performances will get me back in rather than… whatever else it may be.”

Vithushan Ehantharajah is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo

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