Johannesburg — England recalled big fast bowler Ollie Robinson to their squad for the three-match Test series against the Proteas that starts at Lord’s in two weeks’ time.
Robinson, 28, has suffered with a plethora of ailments, that included shoulder and back problems, a tooth infection and Covid-19. He has played 9 Tests, and taken 39 wickets, since making his debut against New Zealand last year. He hasn’t featured for England this year and made a return for his County side Sussex last week. The English selectors want him to get some more match time under the belt before the first Test, and so he will play for the England Lions, in a four-day tour match against the Proteas in Canterbury next week.
Ben Stokes leads what will no doubt be a confident team, which has won each of its last four Tests, successfully chasing totals of more than 270 in the final innings of those matches against New Zealand and India. Brendon McCullum’s appointment as head coach along with Stokes being named captain has led to a revitalisation of England’s Test fortunes, with the brand of cricket they’ve played being dubbed, “Bazball”.
The Proteas have claimed that they are keen to test themselves against this revolution. The first Test starts on August 17.
England men's Test squad v Proteas:
Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root
IOL Sport