Ollie Robinson called up to England's Test squad for the first time

Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson has been called up to the England Test squad for the first time ahead of the two-match LV= Insurance Test Series against New Zealand starting at Lord’s on Wednesday 2 June 2021.

Robinson is joined in the squad by Gloucestershire's James Bracey, who is also included in Chris Silverwood's 15-player contingent for the first time.

Both have impressed during the early stages of the LV= Insurance County Championship, with Robinson taking 29 wickets at an average of 14 so far, and both are familiar with the England set-up, having toured as reserves during England’s winter Test programmes in Sri Lanka and India. They were also part of the extended squads during last summer’s behind closed doors Test series against West Indies and Pakistan, respectively. 

England Men’s Test Squad

Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain, James Anderson (Lancashire), James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Zak Crawley (Kent) , Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Olly Stone (Warwickshire),Mark Wood (Durham)

Sussex seamer Jofra Archer was not considered for selection, and is set to meet with a medical consultant later this week to determine the seriousness of his right elbow soreness. 

England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said: “The summer of Test cricket will be fascinating. Playing the top two teams in the world, in New Zealand and India, is perfect preparation for us as we continue to improve and progress towards an Ashes series in Australia at the back end of the year. 

“With several players not available through injury or being rested for the New Zealand series, it is an opportunity for us to reward those who have been on the fringes of England squads over the past 12 months. 

“James Bracey and Ollie Robinson deserve their call ups to the Test squad. They have been consistent performers in the County Championship this season and over the past 18 months, have excelled for the Lions on the field and in the various camps they have been involved in. 

“Having spent all winter and last summer in the company of our established Test players, they have immersed themselves in preparing and understanding what it takes to play at this level. The environment and culture will be something they are used to, and should they be in a position to make their Test debuts, they will be ready to showcase their skills. 

“They are both resilient characters and have demonstrated to me, the captain and coaches that they have the desire, temperament and the ability to continually improve to give themselves every chance of succeeding on the international stage.”

On Archer, Silverwood, added: “Jofra is to see a consultant this week to understand the severity of his right elbow injury. He struggled in Sussex’s Championship fixture last week and he wasn’t able to bowl on the final two days of the match.

"We need to get this resolved once and for all to give him the best chance of being fully fit as we build up to an intense winter, which will include a T20 World Cup and the Ashes. We need him firing in all formats of the game."

LV= Insurance Test Series

1st Test: England v New Zealand, 2-6 June 2021, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

2nd Test: England v New Zealand, 10-14 June 2021, Edgbaston, Birmingham