Broad Surprised by Robinson's England Recall
Stuart Broad expressed surprise at England's decision to recall fast bowler Ollie Robinson for the first Test against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on 4 June.
Robinson was previously dropped following the 2024 tour of India but has been reinstated for the Lord's Test, marking England's first Test match since their 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia.
The 32-year-old bowler boasts an impressive Test record, having taken 76 wickets at an average of 22.92 across 20 matches.
Despite his strong statistics, Robinson has frequently faced fitness challenges, suffering from back problems during his last two appearances—against India in Ranchi two years ago and against Australia at Headingley in 2023.
With Jofra Archer unavailable for the first Test due to his Indian Premier League commitments, and Mark Wood (knee) and Brydon Carse (broken wrist) sidelined by injuries, England have turned to Robinson to fill the fast bowling role.
"I was a little bit surprised," said Broad on his For The Love of Cricket podcast.
"There must have been a turnaround – I think Robbo said at the start of the summer there'd been a bit of contact [with England].
"I suppose the confusing thing for me is, if he's good enough to open the bowling on 4 June against New Zealand at Lord's, which he is – he's a brilliant bowler – why was he not at the Ashes?
"He'd have bowled Australia out for 30 at the MCG with how much that pitch moved. It feels like a complete waste to not use him over the winter in Australia if suddenly he's now available and able to be used at Lord's."
Robinson Recognized as One of the Best Bowlers
Upon Robinson's recall, England director of cricket Rob Key commented on his fitness and quality.
"When you look at his record he is one of the bowlers right up there statistically, among all the bowlers, of all time," Key said.
Robinson has had a strong start to the season with Sussex, captaining the team to three wins in six County Championship matches and taking 18 wickets at an average of 26.27.
Broad, who has taken 604 Test wickets in his career, expressed curiosity about the timing of Robinson's recall, given his apparent fall from favour with head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
"I'd love to know what the turnaround has been – has he suddenly improved his fitness or improved his attitude because he was never left out because of performance," Broad said.
"Not that these guys have ever said this to me, I thought McCullum and Stokes had lost faith and lost trust and that was the end of that.
"I suppose it's probably a case of who else will take the new ball? The new-ball bowling in the Ashes was awful and they need a new-ball bowler.
"There's no doubt Ollie is the best new-ball bowler available to England in the country at the moment. He has amazing ability to get the new ball to talk and he gets bounce.
"Rob Key said he's a world-class bowler at 82-83mph and the test for Robbo is if that 82-83mph stays over three Tests and for every spell without him going off or missing sessions.
"Not many bowlers get another chance when you have been written off for character and attitude."
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