Tue, Jun 09, 2026 page6

• Robinson vows ‘no let-up’ in England revival after victory over New Zealand

  • AFP, LONDON
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  Ollie Robinson on Sunday 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 in London.

  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 defeat 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 the three-match series.

  

  England’s Ollie Robinson bowls on the fourth day of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s in London on Sunday.

  Photo: AFP

  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,” Sussex captain Robinson said. “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.”

  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,” he added.

  Stokes also praised England debutant Emilio Gay for the highest individual score of a landmark 150th Test at Lord’s, the most at any ground, dominated by seamers on both sides.

  After being dismissed for 8 in the first innings, the opener grafted his way to 57 in 95 balls second time around to set up England’s commanding position.

  “I said to Emilio, that these conditions are at the top of the tough end in Test cricket,” Stokes said of his Durham teammate. “With the pressure he was under in such a low-scoring game, for him to to make a significant contribution with the bat will do wonders for his confidence.”

  New Zealand dismissed England for 140 after captain Tom Latham won the toss, only to be bowled out for just 113 in reply.

  Latham was also left to rue several dropped catches.

  “From a bowling point of view, we had opportunities throughout both innings, which we didn’t take,” he said. “From a batting point of view, we weren’t able to build partnerships that could get us reasonably close.”

  New Zealand’s Matt Henry sent down just four overs in the first innings after being hampered by back spasms, but with a 10-day break until the second Test across London at The Oval starting on Wednesday next week, Latham was optimistic about the fast bowler’s prospects.

  “I think it’s a day-by-day case with Henners,” Latham said. “For him to be able to come back and bowl on day two was a great result for us, so fingers crossed he keeps progressing the way he has. We’ve got a little bit of extra time now to hopefully get him right.”
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