England’s preparations for the upcoming second Test against New Zealand at The Oval have taken another hit with news that Ollie Robinson will be sidelined due to a knee injury. The setback compounds the team’s already tumultuous lead-up to the match.
Robinson, who earned the player of the match accolade at Lords, made a triumphant return to Test cricket after over two years. He delivered a remarkable performance, beginning with a triple-wicket maiden and achieving career-best figures of seven for 77, which helped secure a 115-run victory for England.
However, a recent scan has confirmed that Robinson is experiencing what the ECB describes as “soreness” in his right knee. In response, Sussex team-mate Henry Crocombe has been called up to join the England squad as a precautionary measure.
The team management remains optimistic that Robinson will recover in time for the third Test at Trent Bridge, scheduled to start on June 25. Yet, his absence, along with that of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinsonboth of whom are under investigation by the ECB for a curfew breach following the Lords Testleaves stand-in captain Joe Root with the challenge of securing a series win with an almost entirely restructured bowling attack.
The management are hopeful Robinson will be fit for the third Test at Trent Bridge, starting on June 25. But his absence at The Oval along with Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, both missing while the ECB investigate their curfew-breaking night out after Lords means stand-in captain Joe Root will have to attempt to clinch the series with an almost entirely revamped attack.
Robinson was player of the match at Lords, but will miss the second test with a knee injury. However, selectors are hopeful he will be available for the third test at Trent Bridge
England are also missing Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, who have been dropped amid the ECB’s probe into curfew-breaking post-Lord’s night out
Stokes was spotted leaving his home in County Durham on Thursday after being axed from the squad for the second test
Of the four seamers who bowled in the first Test, only Josh Tongue remains, while Jofra Archer is in line for his first appearance of the series after sitting out Lords because of his involvement at the IPL.
The uncapped Hampshire quick Sonny Baker and Surrey seamer Matt Fisher, who played his lone Test four years ago, are both in contention, though England must decide whether to omit spinner Shoaib Bashir, who didnt bowl a ball at Lords, or to field four quicks and leave the slow bowling in the hands of Root and Jacob Bethell.
Meanwhile, the ECB have insisted that wicketkeeper Jamie Smith will be available for The Oval, despite his partner being due to give birth to their second child.