Ollie Robinson, the Ollie Robinson England bowler who has taken 23 wickets in three matches this summer, has drawn a comparison to Australia great Glenn McGrath from Jonathan Agnew, who said Robinson’s rhythmical action is the finest he has witnessed since his own playing days.
Agnew, writing for BBC Sport, said he has held that view since Robinson’s England debut five years ago and that nothing since has changed his mind. Robinson was dropped, recalled and dropped again in the intervening period, but Agnew described him as the most natural bowler he has seen.
‘Using the word robotic to describe him may give the wrong impression,’ Agnew wrote. ‘It is a compliment. Australia’s great bowler Glenn McGrath was like that. Everything was utterly rhythmical, repetitive and perfectly grooved. Robinson is the same.’
Ollie Robinson England bowler’s Lord’s match figures
The numbers back the assessment. According to Beloit Daily News, Robinson finished the second Test at Lord’s with match figures of 8-35 in 27 overs. A major portion of that damage came on the second day, when, as BBC Sport reported, he took four wickets for just 11 runs as Pakistan were bowled out for 110, leaving England a lead of 180. Agnew noted Robinson conceded runs at just 1.29 per over across the Lord’s Test.
The 32-year-old’s form has continued into the third Test. Sky Sports reported Robinson took two wickets for no runs in the opening over of Pakistan’s second innings at Edgbaston.
Agnew attributed part of Robinson’s effectiveness to the decision to have wicketkeeper Jamie Smith stand up to the stumps. Alex Carey used the tactic to good effect during the Ashes and England have adopted it with Robinson. With Smith up, batsmen cannot advance down the pitch for fear of being stumped. That allows Robinson to bowl a fuller length, giving his deliveries more time to swing through the air and ensuring more balls hit the stumps rather than bouncing over from a shorter length.
Smith’s improvement and Robinson’s role as leader
Agnew also praised Smith’s own development. After struggling through the Ashes, Smith has improved his glovework under wicketkeeping coach Sarah Taylor, who has been using a drill in which she hits tennis balls towards him with a racket before play, forcing him to stay low and take skidding deliveries with a batsman stood in front.
Agnew acknowledged Robinson’s path back was not straightforward. Many argued his summer performances proved Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key were wrong to leave him out of the Ashes squad last winter, amid reported concerns over trust and a preference for bowlers with greater pace. Bowling coach Jon Lewis publicly called out Robinson’s fitness in 2022. ‘There are times Robinson has not been handled as kindly as he might have been,’ Agnew wrote, adding that the omission may have refocused him.
Tactically, Agnew said Robinson is extremely sharp, able to spot a batsman’s weakness quickly and translate that into his own plans. A coach told Agnew when Robinson first came into the side that he would give talks to team-mates about how to get batsmen out.
England are working to help Robinson maintain his pace at around 82mph rather than dropping to 77 or 78mph as the spell progresses. Agnew said the extra bounce that would result should offset any loss of movement.
Looking ahead, Robinson will face harder pitches in England’s three-Test series in South Africa this winter, conditions that will test his fitness. Agnew called on England to select him regardless, arguing he has earned the right. In the immediate term, Agnew urged the selectors not to rest Robinson, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson or Josh Tongue for the third Test, insisting the attack needs time bowling together as a unit under Robinson’s leadership: ‘This, with Robinson as the leader, is England’s best attack. Stick with it in Birmingham and beyond.’
