England have made one change to their XI for tomorrow’s Second Test against South Africa, with Ollie Robinson coming in for his first appearance since January.
England are 1-0 down in the three-match series following a humbling defeat at Lord’s, the first under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
The message in the camp has been not to panic, and England have stuck by Zak Crawley, who has had a difficult summer with the bat and failed to reach fifty in his last seven Tests. The sole change sees Robinson return for Matt Potts, to make up an attack with senior seamers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Robinson has had a troubled year. During his last Test, in Hobart, he was publicly criticised by Jon Lewis, England’s bowling coach, for a lack of conditioning and a poor professional attitude. That sense persisted on the tour of the Caribbean in March, when he failed to prove his fitness for any of the three Tests, partly due to back spasms.
This summer, the back issues have continued, but he has also spent time out with Covid and due to dental problems. Recently, though, Robinson has returned to fitness and is visibly more svelte.
Earlier this month, he picked up five wickets for England Lions (including both South Africa openers) in the tour match that preceded the Test series. That performance proved that when Robinson can get on the park, he is a high-class operator. He took 39 wickets at an average of 21 in his first nine Tests.
Even in the Ashes, where conditions were less suited to him and his fitness troubles emerged, he took his wickets at 25.5.
Robinson is an excellent bowler against left-handed batters, and both South Africa’s openers are southpaws. Potts has had an excellent first summer in Test cricket, playing all five Tests so far, and taking his wickets at an average of 28. He was a little off colour at Lord’s, however, and is not as effective against left-handers.
Explaining Robinson’s selection, Stokes said: “He gets the most bounce of our attack and Old Trafford is a quick wicket”.
England’s training was limited at Old Trafford today by rain, with the pitch under cover.
South Africa appear likely to name an unchanged team following their outstanding victory at Lord’s, which was over so promptly that their brilliant four-man seam attack were afforded two extra days’ rest.
