Ollie Robinson has been called up to the England squad for the Test series against New Zealand following an injury to Jordan Cox. It was reported that Cox, who was expected to act as a stand-in for Jamie Smith due to paternity leave, suffered a fractured thumb while batting in the nets before a warm-up match. As a result, vice-captain Ollie Pope was tasked with filling in as wicketkeeper for the first Test in Christchurch, and 21-year-old Jacob Bethell was set to make his debut as a specialist batter. However, the 25-year-old Robinson is now being considered for the second Test in Wellington next week.
Having moved from Kent to Durham, Robinson has displayed remarkable form in the County Championship, amassing 1,802 runs over the last two seasons. His impressive average of 48.38 this past summer and almost 60 in the current year, along with a strike rate exceeding 80 in both seasons, underscores his batting prowess. In addition, he has recorded 92 dismissals as a wicketkeeper during this period.
Robinson is scheduled to arrive in New Zealand on Saturday, just ahead of his 26th birthday, an occasion he ironically shares with fellow cricketer Ollie Robinson, the Sussex bowler, who has taken 76 wickets in 20 Tests but currently finds himself lower in the selection hierarchy.