Ollie Robinson returns to squad to face Middlesex

Ollie Robinson returns to Sussex’s 13-man squad for the upcoming Bob Willis Trophy match against Middlesex.

The seamer was recalled to England’s bio-secure bubble ahead of the second #RaiseTheBat Test against Pakistan, and our Bob Willis Trophy clash with Kent, but has now departed The Ageas Bowl.

Robinson will replace George Garton in the attack, with the left-armer nursing a slight hamstring strain following career-best figures of 9-76 against Essex, while 18-year-old Henry Crocombe is also rested with his workload being carefully managed.

Sussex squad to face Middlesex

Ben Brown © (wk)

Jack Carson

Tom Clark

Mitch Claydon

James Coles

Harry Finch

Tom Haines

Stuart Meaker

Delray Rawlins

Ollie Robinson

Phil Salt

Will Sheffield

Aaron Thomason

Head coach, Jason Gillespie said: “We’re very excited to bring young James Coles into the squad for the first time. He’s a 16-year-old right-handed batsman on our Pathway who also bowls left-arm spin.

“He’s an exciting young cricketer and it will be a great opportunity for him to be around the squad.

“There is such a good vibe in the dressing room at the moment. The boys are all working really hard and are enjoying each other’s company.

“We were all obviously gutted to lose to Essex but there were lots of positives to take. We gave the County Champions a real scare.

“Our bowling was much improved, highlighted by the fact we nearly bowled them out twice, and our energy in the field was once again really pleasing.

“We know we still have to improve with the bat and be better with our application. We had a lot of starts again, but didn’t capitalise. That’s something we need to improve on but overall it was a pleasing performance.

“We’re now looking forward to the weekend and our match against Middlesex, who are a really strong side. It will be a big challenge but we are looking forward to it.”

The opposition

Middlesex have had a mixed Bob Willis Trophy campaign so far this summer, experiencing victory, defeat and a draw in their opening three matches.

They began the tournament with an impressive 190-run win over rivals Surrey at The Kia Oval, before suffering a three-wicket defeat to Hampshire and then settling for a draw against Kent in their most recent outing.

Nick Gubbins was the star of the show for Middlesex against Surrey, scoring a superb 192 in the first innings before adding 60 in the second, and is their leading run-scorer in the competition - despite only playing twice amid fears he might have had coronavirus.

The batsman has since tested negative for COVID-19 and will be hoping to add to his 306 tournament runs against Sussex, while Tim Murtagh leads the way with the ball for Middlesex with 14 dismissals to his name.

Middlesex squad to face Sussex:

Stephen Eskinazi (captain), Martin Andersson, Ethan Bamber, Blake Cullen, Miguel Cummins, Jack Davies, Nick Gubbins, James Harris, Tom Helm, Max Holden, Tim Murtagh, Sam Robson, John Simpson (wicket-keeper), Thilan Walallawita, Robbie White 

Follow the action LIVE

The match is set to get underway at 11am on Saturday 22 August, with the action streamed live on Middlesex’s website and via our own Match Day Centre.

The trip to Radlett will be Sussex’s first ever to Middlesex’s picturesque outground, and you will be able to enjoy the match with moving cameras and commentary from Adam Collins and Izzy Westbury.

Alternatively, the match will also be free to listen to online thanks to BBC Radio Sussex, with Adrian Harms covering all four-days of play.