Former England bowler Stuart Broad has expressed surprise at Ollie Robinson's recall to the Test squad, questioning why the Sussex seamer was not selected for the Ashes tour. Robinson is set to take the new ball in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's starting 4 June, marking his return to international cricket after a two-year absence.
Robinson's recall comes after England struggled with new-ball bowling during their 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, following the retirements of Broad, James Anderson and Chris Woakes. The 31-year-old had been dropped after the 2024 tour to India amid fitness concerns and a reported falling out with the England hierarchy.
Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Broad said: 'I was a little bit surprised. If he's good enough to open the bowling on 4 June against New Zealand at Lord's, why was he not at the Ashes? It feels like a complete waste not to use him over the winter in Australia.'
Broad believes Robinson is the best new-ball bowler available to England, noting his impressive Test record of 76 wickets at an average of 22.92. He added: 'There's no doubt Ollie is the best new-ball bowler available to England in the country at the moment. He has amazing ability to get the new ball to talk and he gets bounce.'
Robinson's recall comes with Jofra Archer unavailable for the first Test, while Brydon Carse and Mark Wood are recovering from injuries. Surrey's Matthew Fisher, Hampshire's Sonny Baker, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson are also in the squad, with captain Ben Stokes potentially opening the bowling.
