Ollie Robinson was suspended for offensive racist tweets, termed the phase "toughest in his life as he had doubts" about his England future.
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Seamer Ollie Robinson grabbed his maiden five-wicket haul in his comeback Test against India after being suspended for offensive old racist tweets, said “toughest in his life as he had doubts” about his England future.
The 27-year-old’s spectacular Test debut against New Zealand in June was mired in controversy after his racist and sexist tweets dating almost a decade back were discovered, earning him an eight-match ban, three of which had already been served. He admits now that, in those days, he feared his England career may be over.
“I definitely had doubts over my career,” Robinson said. “There was a time I was speaking with my lawyers and we were looking at the fact I could be banned for a couple of years. That would have taken me up to the age of 30 and someone else could have come in and taken my spot. So yes I had doubts over my career. I thought I might never play for England again.
“It was tough. Probably the toughest few weeks I’ve had in cricket to be honest, or in my life, actually. It affected not only myself but my family. But luckily it all came good today.”
“I was a young, naive guy,” he says. “I made a lot of mistakes. Not just those tweets. I had negative press when I got sacked from Yorkshire as well.
“But I’ve learned a lot. I have grown as a person in that time. I’ve tried to develop myself as a person in the last ten years. I am father now, as well, and I have just tried to make myself the best person I can be. I hope people will be able to see that.”
‘He [Ollie Robinson] feared his career was over – I think there is a high percentage of people who think his career should have been over.’
Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison gives his views on Ollie Robinson, after the seamer took his maiden Test five wicket haul. pic.twitter.com/gSwEhuGEjp
— GB News (@GBNEWS) August 7, 2021
Robinson has looked every inch a Test-quality bowler in his performances to date. Deservedly so his maiden five-wicket haul. However, he is not especially quick – his stock ball tends to be around 130 kph (just over 80 mph) – his bouncer is notably sharper (up around 137 kph) and ensures batters aren’t able to simply get on the front foot.
Robinson was also seen giving Ravindra Jadeja a send-off, raising his finger to his lips.
“It was all friendly banter, we were just trying to get them out of their bubble and play a few shots.”
“They were pretty defensive and I wanted KL Rahul to play some shots. It was all good fun out there. But it was important for me to show everyone that I am the real deal on the field and try to get the scrutiny off me.
“It was a proud moment for myself and my family — a moment I’ll cherish for a long time,” he concluded.
