England vs New Zealand: Ollie Robinson makes a stunning comeback at Lord’s

For a long time, it looked like Robinson would never play for England again, certainly in this regime.

England attributed his exile to conditioning, a tendency to lose pace or to stay away from matches altogether. His ability was not in doubt – Robinson had averaged less than 23 balls in his previous 20 Tests.

Humbled by Australia, England turned to the 32-year-old in search of a striker. Robinson has benefited from being handed the Sussex captaincy and admits he has arrived. How different would the Ashes have been if England had bowled like that in Australia?

Robinson got the ball rolling in the second minute of the innings by Lord’s downward movement to the left-armer Conway. Two balls later, captain Stokes posted a short leg and Conway immediately played a full ball around. Robinson roared with delight, but Conway was disappointed to see a review showing the ball cutting leg stump.

Robinson’s length was clean. Facing the second ball, Williamson failed to get forward enough and Emilio Gay hit it at short leg for the first time. Ravindra, another left-arm pacer, was pinned by another nip-fan. The noise was deafening.

At 2-3, New Zealand were in disarray. Captain Tom Latham could have run through Stokes before he was lbw, left to Atkinson at half-forward. Robinson showed his full skill to find the seam movement up the bowling Mitchell, who did not offer any shots.

Fast-tongued Tom Blundell was in danger of being dismissed before New Zealand closed. Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 31, supported by Nathan Smith, somehow won without further loss.