Mark Andrew Robinson, an English cricket player, had a lengthy and varied career as a fast-medium bowler. Born on March 30, 1969, Robinson played for three different county teams in England and also had a brief stint in New Zealand.
Robinson’s professional career began in 1987 when he joined Northamptonshire. He played for them for four seasons before moving on to Yorkshire in 1991. During his time at Yorkshire, Robinson was a consistent performer, although not always a standout. Known for his solid style of bowling rather than being a prolific wicket-taker, he exceeded 40 wickets in a season on ten occasions. However, he achieved the milestone of passing 50 wickets only twice in his career.
While Robinson’s bowling statistics were decent, it was his abysmal batting that often garnered attention. In a time when even the tailenders were expected to contribute with the bat, Robinson’s batting was widely regarded as appalling. Throughout his career, he managed to score just 590 runs, a stark contrast to his 584 wickets. However, he did set a record in 1990 when he went through a remarkable streak of making twelve consecutive scores of 0, failing to score a single run between May and August.
In 1996, Robinson found himself without a team after being released by Yorkshire. However, he quickly found a new home with Sussex in 1997. The following year, he had the opportunity to play for Canterbury in New Zealand, broadening his cricketing horizons. In typical fashion, Robinson had a more successful season with the ball, taking 49 wickets in New Zealand.
After retiring from professional cricket, Robinson made a return to the cricketing world in 2005, this time as the coach of Sussex. Taking charge of the team, he led them to significant success, guiding them to win the Championship in both 2006 and 2007. Robinson’s ability to mentor and guide the players was evident in the team’s impressive performances under his leadership.
Off the field, Robinson is known for his dedication and commitment to the sport. His passion for cricket inspired him to transition from a player to a coach seamlessly. His years of experience playing the game at a high level equipped him with valuable insights and knowledge, which he used to develop and nurture talent within the Sussex squad.
Overall, Mark Andrew Robinson’s cricketing career may not have been the most illustrious, but his contributions as a bowler and coach are noteworthy. Although his ability with the bat left much to be desired, his impact with the ball and his successful coaching tenure at Sussex solidified his reputation as a respected figure in English cricket.
