The unlikely Pom who can turn Test on its head

2 years ago 278

Cricket fable Mark Taylor says the cardinal to England salvaging what's been a fearfulness Test truthful acold is Ashes debutant Ollie Robinson.

The tourists were rolled for 147 connected Day 1 of the archetypal lucifer successful Brisbane.

It was the worst imaginable commencement erstwhile Rory Burns was bowled astir his legs by Mitchell Starc connected the archetypal shot of the series. Captain Joe Root besides went for zero, portion Jos Buttler top-scored with 39.

DAY 1 AS IT HAPPENED: Storm threatens play aft Cummins magic

A tempest halted play and past atrocious airy yet ended it, meaning Australia volition statesman its batting innings erstwhile players instrumentality connected Day 2.

The Aussies person the accidental to stamp their dominance with a large triumph astatine the Gabba.

But the antheral lasting successful their mode volition beryllium 1 they've ne'er played against before, according to Taylor.

"I haven't seen overmuch of Robinson, but what I saw of him against India is he's a spot similar a (Josh) Hazlewood – he's a gangly feline who bowls a bully enactment and magnitude astatine that disconnected stump, has the quality to instrumentality it distant a small spot successful the aerial and backmost successful disconnected the seam," Taylor told Wide World of Sports post-play.

"He could beryllium a fistful if helium gets it close tomorrow."

Taylor was shocked that England opted to permission some James Anderson - Test cricket's astir palmy ever accelerated bowler - and Stuart Broad retired of the XI for the opening match.

Starc gets wicket with archetypal shot of the Ashes

But helium says Robinson and Chris Woakes person the accidental to present beryllium they tin triumph a Test for their country.

"I've ever thought Woakes is simply a bully cricketer, and a precise useful bowler nether conditions which volition suit. And truthful is Ollie Robinson," helium said.

"But if England are going to springiness Australia a tally for their wealth successful this bid they won't beryllium relying purely connected Anderson and Broad, truthful time is an accidental for Robinson and Woakes successful particular, who should bask bowling connected that pitch.

"The upwind forecast is akin again time truthful we mightiness find akin conditions, truthful it volition beryllium absorbing to spot however they go.

"They are bully bowlers."

Robinson has lone played 5 Test matches but helium has 28 wickets astatine an elite mean of 19.60.

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