Robinson strikes early as England regain Lord’s control

Ollie Robinson’s return to England at Lord’s looked like a turning point in the first home Test against New Zealand. With Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse unavailable, he took the new ball and struck in a three-wicket maiden first over, dismissing Devon Conway, K

When Ollie Robinson walked into the first home Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, the pressure wasn’t abstract. It came packaged as a single number England had to defend: 140, after a humbling first innings.

It also came with the weight of reinvention. Robinson. who had feared around Christmas that he would never play for England again. was back on England’s radar after coach Brendon McCullum messaged him at the start of the season that the fast bowler would be reconsidered. A year earlier. Robinson had been dropped in 2024 despite 76 wickets in 20 tests. blamed for being slack on fitness and not a team-first player.

This time, his case was being built in public. Robinson was made captain of Sussex, he took 18 wickets in the ongoing County Championship, and England had to take notice when Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse were unavailable for the Thursday match.

Robinson got the ball and. in front of a Lord’s crowd that was already chanting his name before the over ended. he delivered what sounded like relief in real time. He dismissed Devon Conway with his third ball. Kane Williamson with his fifth. and Rachin Ravindra with his sixth—three wickets in a maiden first over.

Afterward, Robinson described the fear and adrenaline of that opening burst. “The first over I couldn’t feel my legs, I was so nervous,” he told the BBC. “To get the first wicket, the emotion coming was incredible.” He added to Sky Sports, “It was so loud. I was in a bit of a daze and just trying to focus. The crowd were amazing, it’s one of the loudest I’ve heard them here.”.

He also spoke plainly about how his mindset has changed this season. “I was in a place where I never thought I’d play for England again,” he said. “To get the text from Baz (McCullum) shifted my mindset. To get back in the team. I knew the date of the first day of the test and there was a lot of work. I’ve tried my best to get back in the condition for today. I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead.”.

By stumps, Robinson had figures of 4-10 in six overs, including three maiden deliveries. New Zealand was staggering at 61-6, and England had a clear advantage after day one.

Robinson’s comeback also carried a history of interruption. He didn’t finish his previous Test in February 2024 because of a back injury against India in Ranchi. That same month, New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson also hurt his back against South Africa in Mount Maunganui. Jamieson’s third stress fracture in three seasons forced him into a long. cautious recovery that ended with his Test comeback on Thursday. He took 5-62—his first Test five-for in five years—and was poised to be the day’s standout until Robinson took control with the new ball.

Robinson acknowledged the push-and-pull of both sides’ bowling plans as England looked to press their advantage. “They bowled so well, we knew we had to follow suit,” he said. “Both teams hit the stumps a lot so credit to both teams. We’ve still got a a job to do and mop them up in the morning.”

Ollie Robinson England cricket Lord's New Zealand Ashes Brendon McCullum Sussex captain County Championship Devon Conway Kane Williamson Rachin Ravindra Jofra Archer Brydon Carse Kyle Jamieson