After suffering an injury during the third Test of the series at Headingley, Leeds, former England cricketer Steve Harmison believes Ollie Robinson won’t play in the Ashes in 2023. In the course of the entire game, Robinson was only able to bowl 11.2 overs before leaving the field due to back spasms halfway through the first inning.
With 10 kills at an average of 28.40 in the first three games of the series, Robinson is England’s second-highest wicket-taker and is fourth overall. Steve Harmison, who believes England cannot afford to take a chance with his physique, claims the 29-year-old is finished for the series.
“He’s done for me, and I believe he’s done in the Ashes. I believe that history is repeating itself. His body prevented him from bowling the number of overs he was capable of during the previous Ashes. I won’t guess about his fitness level or whether it’s just unfortunate that these injuries have occurred. However, England cannot afford to take the chance, according to a remark from Steve Harmison in TalkSport.
Robinson needs to improve his fitness, according to the 2005 Ashes champion, as his speed has steadily declined throughout the series.
“We must choose the best bowlers since we still have two games to win the series. Ollie belongs to them, but he has to be physically fit in order to do so. He started the past couple of tests at 78 mph, and now he’s slowed down to 76 mph and 75 mph. Despite his impressive Test cricket track record, he must unfortunately improve his physical condition and fitness before he can resume playing the game.
To replace Robison, Anderson or Tongue will arrive.
England must choose between Josh Tongue and James Anderson for the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester because Robinson is injured. Notably, Anderson only managed to take three wickets in the first two Test matches, but Josh Tongue made an impression at Lord’s with his performance. The 25-year-old, who was only playing in his second Test, took five wickets in the match, two of which were valued victims, David Warner and Steven Smith.
In order to tie the series, England will need to win the fourth Test, which starts on Wednesday, July 19. It will be intriguing to watch who gets the call.