Can Ollie Robinson Play Test Cricket Again? Sussex Coach James Kirtley Has His Say

England fast bowler Ollie Robinson is back in the spotlight after a five-for [5/42] against Leicestershire in the County Championship Division One 2026 opener. 

The Sussex skipper stamped his authority further with a match haul of five wickets [2/44 and 3/48] against Warwickshire this week, fuelling discussions about his return to the Test side after two years.

Despite being a quality pacer with a strong wobble-seam delivery that has often deceived batters, the right-arm pacer has struggled with injuries, which led to his ouster from the England squad after the 2023-24 tour of India.

Being among wickets and leading Sussex to two consecutive victories increased his confidence in the run-up to the international summer starting in June.

STRONGER AND FITTER

Robinson has 76 wickets in 20 Tests at an average of 22.92, before recurring back spasms raised questions about his fitness.

James Kirtley, the pace bowling lead and assistant coach at Sussex, who is currently working with Robinson, is hopeful that the 32-year-old speedster will find a route to return. 

"He has the highest skills. He has always been of quality. County cricket is tough. He is leading the attack, and he has to do it day in and out, whereas in Test cricket, you can have a lot more structured rest and recovery. They are very different animals in a way," he told SportsBoom.co.uk in an exclusive chat on Friday.

Robinson played grade cricket in Sydney last year and spent time with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to understand their training regime. However, his trip ended abruptly as he had to undergo surgery on a hernia.

Kirtley believed Robinson was ready to return to Test matches, and his body had been responding well after playing two county games. 

"He seems to be in good physical condition. He will have niggles as a fast bowler, which is part and parcel of the sport. Nobody doubts his quality when in top form. He is building up his robustness through county cricket," he said.

"What is great for us this week is that we have a week off. He can be fully prepared for the next game at Headingley. But it is hard work," added the veteran, who played four Tests, 11 ODIs, and a T20I for England.

INTENSE MATCH PREPARATION

Kirtley, who has shared the dressing room with the likes of James Anderson and Steve Harmison, praised Robinson for his match preparation and intel on opponents. 

"He has got a great cricket brain, and he is forensic in his preparation around opposition batsmen. He knows batters inside and out. We can have conversations on how to bowl; he can actually deliver the plans with a fine degree of detail," said the former Sussex fast bowler, who retired with 614 first-class wickets.

England will play two three-match Test series at home against New Zealand and Pakistan before going to South Africa later this year. 

Kirtley backed Robinson to prove his big-match prowess again if he gets an opportunity. 

"He is a big-match player. Everyone has seen that. He looked very comfortable coming into the Test arena in 2021 [when he finished with 37 wickets in only eight Tests], and when the club needed him, he rarely let them down," he said.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

If Robinson gets selected for the home summer, he will have to join the squad on the backdrop of the county workload. 

"We have four games in four weeks as the county season progresses, and that’s quite a length one can ask a player to deliver. When he gets back in, he won’t have the same luxury as others who are contracted. He has to take the four-match workload, and he wants to bowl the big overs and lead the attack. It will be a real test," said Kirtley, adding that rejoining England could mean better workload management.

"By returning to international cricket, if he does, he will know what he needs to do to maintain his body and the level of fitness required to play Test matches. Sometimes, there are back-to-back Tests. Hopefully, he will be better prepared," he reasoned.

Robinson finished with 39 wickets in the County Championship last year, and this time, he needs 50 to ensure selection.

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