As he stood at 2d slip gazing Ollie Robinson finesse a chic seven-wicket haul with the splendor of Worcester Cathedral as a backdrop, Steve Smith will have been forgiven for invoking the spirit of WG Grace and muttering “they came to see me bat not you bowl”.
As it was once, the Australian looked to be very a lot taking part in his first day of this pre-Ashes tune-up with Sussex. Smith didn’t bat – his facet reached 63 for one in respond to Worcestershire’s 264 all out when unhealthy gentle introduced an early shut – however this was once nonetheless a massively informative day out.
How may just it no longer had been? Robinson shall be one among England’s central guns this summer season and despite the fact that they’ve met prior to now on Australian soil, Smith was once in a position to get a better have a look at his delicate manipulation of the Dukes ball in house stipulations and observe his various use of the crease. Not that Robinson, who blank bowled Smith within the nets at Hove previous this week, is just too fussed.
“I think it works both ways,” stated Robinson, recent from figures of 7 for 59 and 17 overs of forged graft. “He’s obviously a very good player and I think he will score runs regardless of whether he faces me or not. We get a look at each other, but I don’t think it makes a big difference in the grand scheme of things.
“It’s been a bit surreal for me … to have the world’s best batsman and [Cheteshwar] Pujara in the same changing room has been cool. I think it ups my game in training – it’s great to have them batting at the other end.”
Once the PA announcer had amusingly declared the foundations of engagement on the toss – “no spitting, no biting and no swearing” – and Pujara known as appropriately, Robinson was once merely a lower above the remainder. His opening burst of 7 overs, 4 for 30 was once ruinous stuff, making the most of Ed Pollock’s free force, trapping Azhar Ali lbw, nicking off Jack Haynes with some additional jump after which detonating Jake Libby’s heart stump.
Not for the primary time at New Road this season a difficult get started for the batting facet – 44 for 5 – was once adopted via a fightback. Short obstacles – one thing England are stated to have ordered for the Test grounds this summer season – allowed the wiry Adam Hose to peel off an crowd pleasing 59, prior to competitive half-centuries down the order from Matthew Waite (59 from 54 balls) and Joe Leach (53 from 53).
But Robinson’s fourth spell close down complaints, a cascade of 3 wickets in seven balls brought about when Waite was once bowled via a bail-trimmer. Although he spent a lot of his time looking to stay his arms heat Smith was once no longer fully out of motion both, pouching a easy catch to take away Leach prior to Ben Gibbon, the No 11, was once pinned in entrance for a easy lbw determination.
After gazing his best order reply in assured type, Robinson put his personal efficiency down as “80%” in an effort to peaking in time for the Ireland Test that begins on 1 June. The 29-year-old has not too long ago had a painkilling injection in his decrease again however insisted alarm bells must no longer be ringing.
“It was similar to the one I had last year,” stated Robinson, who neglected the primary 1/2 of the 2022 season. “I used to be simply getting a bit of little bit of soreness. I did not have a spasm, simply the joint was once getting fairly annoyed. I sought after to get on best of it prior to the Ashes and it feels in point of fact excellent now.”
The plan for Robinson is to play those subsequent 3 fixtures for Sussex, the similar stint that Smith has signed up for. By the time they face off at Edgbaston on 16 June, familiarity shall be a given.