Ollie Robinson will miss England’s second Test against New Zealand at The Oval after reporting “knee soreness” during training in Hove on Friday. The 32-year-old seamer will have a scan and stay with the squad, and team management believe he might yet be available for the third Test at Trent Bridge on 25 June.
Sussex team-mate Henry Crocombe has been drafted in as cover. The 23-year-old is uncapped at senior level but has 21 first-class wickets at 28.61 this summer and impressed for England Lions earlier in the month with 4 for 65 against South Africa A.
Robinson’s absence adds to a growing list of headaches for England. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson remain out because of disciplinary issues, while Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker and a freshly recalled Jofra Archer are the other pace options in a 15-strong squad.
Key numbers – and a little context
• Robinson returned to the Test side at Lord’s after two years away and led the attack with match figures of 7 for 77, a personal best.
• His overall record stands at 76 wickets at 22.92, yet persistent back and knee niggles have disrupted that progress.
• England have lost six of their past seven Tests and were thumped in the last Ashes, factors that encouraged selectors to revisit the Robinson question in the first place.
Fitness, form and a bit of history
Robinson was left out after the 2023-24 tour of India when a back spasm limited him to 13 wicketless overs in Ranchi. Since then he has taken on Sussex’s red-ball captaincy and, according to back-room staff, trimmed down and sharpened up. Even so, the knee flare-up underlines how fine the margins remain for a bowler of his height and action.
Crocombe’s call-up is a reminder that England are looking beyond the usual faces. The tall right-armer has been in several Lions camps and, at 23, fits the policy of introducing bowlers before workloads become unmanageable. He is unlikely to play at The Oval unless another quick pulls up, but time in the senior environment is never wasted.
Durham keeping a close eye on Stokes
Stokes, stood down by England while an investigation into a breach of team curfew continues, is pushing to play for Durham in the next Championship round. Head coach Ryan Campbell told local media the county is “75%” sure the all-rounder will feature once the ECB gives the green light.
“With Stokes, we still don’t know for sure until we get told by England, but I’m thinking it’s 75% he’ll be playing,” Campbell said. “That’s going to be an interesting selection decision.”
Should Stokes turn out for Durham, England will view the outing as valuable overs under match pressure. They are wary, though, of the knee problems that have dogged him since the 2023 Ashes.
Selection puzzle for The Oval
Assuming no late knocks, England’s fast-bowling pool now looks like this:
1. James Anderson – evergreen, though used sparingly in recent series.
2. Jofra Archer – returning after the IPL and a long elbow lay-off; raw pace on tap.
3. Matthew Fisher – reliable county performer, still searching for a defining Test spell.
4. Sonny Baker – lively but inexperienced, yet to debut.
5. Henry Crocombe – standby option.
A straightforward swap would see Archer or Fisher slot in for Robinson, with conditions likely to dictate the final choice. The Oval can offer early swing but often flattens out, so control as much as outright speed may guide the selectors.
What happens next?
Robinson’s scan results are expected early next week. If swelling subsides quickly he could resume light bowling before the squad moves north. England will not gamble if discomfort lingers, mindful that a half-fit Robinson helps neither his career nor their chances of levelling the series.
For now, England must tackle New Zealand without the bowler who did the bulk of the damage at Lord’s. A familiar story, perhaps, but one they hope will have a different ending by the time the sides reach Nottingham.
