England have called up Durham wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson for the Test series in New Zealand after Jordan Cox was ruled out of the tour due to injury.
Cox was scheduled to deputize for Jamie Smith (paternity leave) for the three matches against the Black Caps, but fractured his thumb while batting in the nets before the practice match.
That forced vice-captain Ollie Pope to step in as wicketkeeper for the opening match in Christchurch – and give 21-year-old Jacob Bethell his debut as a specialist batsman – but Robinson is now an option for next week’s second Test in Wellington. Will be.
The 25-year-old, who is due to arrive in New Zealand on Saturday, has been superb with the bat since moving to Durham from his native Kent, and has scored 1,802 County Championship runs in the last two campaigns.
Robinson averages 48.38 this summer and close to 60 in 2023, with his strike-rate over 80 in both seasons.
The right-handed batsman has also taken 92 dismissals with gloves in that period.
Robinson turns 26 on Sunday and, bizarrely, shares his birthday with namesake Ollie Robinson, the Sussex bowler who has taken 76 wickets in 20 Tests for England but is now well down the pecking order. Performs.
The players, who are unrelated, were also born in Kent – wicketkeeper Robison in Sidcup and bowler Margate.
