Ollie Robinson insisted his return to England duty was “just the start” of his second act as an international cricketer after starring in a 115-run win in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday.
Robinson spent more than two years in England exile as he faced questions about his fitness and attitude.
But he was recalled as part of England’s rebuild following a 4-1 Ashes series in Australia.
He responded in style with his Test-best match figures of 7-77, including a first-innings triple-wicket maiden, as England went 1-0 up in a three-match series.
Robinson now has 83 wickets in 21 Tests at a an average of just 21.91 apiece and while an excessively seamer-friendly surface at Lord’s was ideally suited to his skills, the 32-year-old is keen to show there is more to come.
“I know that this is just the start and there’s a lot more hard work to be done,” said Sussex captain Robinson.
“I want to make sure it’s a long career and there won’t be any let-up this time. There was a time where I never thought I’d be back on a pitch with England, so to get that win for the team is such a special feeling.
Walking off with the lads, with a win under our belts in the first game of the summer, it’s amazing.”– ‘Outstanding’ –
England skipper Ben Stokes was delighted by player-of-the-match Robinson’s contribution.
“The pleasing thing for me, as a captain and a leader in the group, is the way that he’s spoken this week,” Stokes said.
“It would have been very easy to rest on your laurels when everything’s gone so well for him, but I like the language he’s used around it being just a start and there being a lot more hard work to do.”
“The more Ollie Robinson has an England shirt on his back, the better it is for us, because he’s an outstanding bowler and he showed that this week.”
