Happy returns for the quicks
By his own admission Ollie Robinson was “nowhere near ready” to play in the Ashes last winter. Yet his return after a two-year exile was a reminder that England were desperately short on new-ball nous during their 4-1 series defeat. Robinson provided it at Lord’s, making the ball breakdance during that triple-wicket maiden on day one. There was no need for him to go short, as proved by the 77mph bumper Daryl Mitchell brushed to the ropes. Wobbling it down on a length was lethal enough. It was the perfect surface for Kyle Jamieson, too, the hulking quick back for his first Test since February 2024, a back stress fracture keeping him away. His five-fer was a stirring sight, keeping those numbers nice and pretty: his bowling average sits under 20 after 20 Tests.
