Ollie Robinson and Sam Curran have been called into the England squad for the second Test against the West Indies, with James Anderson and Mark Wood both rested.

Who is Ollie Robinson?

Robinson is a 26-year-old seamer, who bowls right-arm medium-fast for Sussex.

In first-class cricket he has taken 236 wickets at an average of 22.33 runs per dismissal in 56 matches, with 13 five-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket hauls. He also has a first-class hundred, scoring 110 against Durham on his Sussex debut, contributing to a 164-run partnership for the tenth wicket at Chester-le-Street with the late Matt Hobden.

His step-father is England’s former assistant coach, Paul Farbrace.

How did Ollie Robinson start?

The first county Robinson represented was Kent at under-13 level. He progressed through their youth system, playing at under-15 and under-17 level, prior to getting called up by Kent’s second XI.

After only one game for Kent’s second team he moved on to Yorkshire. However, after several “unprofessional” misdemeanours, in the words of director of cricket Martyn Moxon, Robinson was released aged 20.

After short stints with Essex and Hampshire, Robinson was picked up by Sussex. After following his ton in his opening game with more strong performances, the seamer signed a two-season extension with the south-coast county. Robinson is also capable of bowling off-spin – he estimates that he’s taken 18 first-class wickets bowling spin.

In his opening campaign for Sussex he took 46 wickets, with his best figures in a single innings – 6-33 – coming against Warwickshire.

What happened next?

In 2017, Robinson only played four games, taking 19 wickets. However, he had a barnstorming 2018 County Championship; Robinson was the second-highest wicket-taker in Division Two, with 74 wickets at an average of 18.66.

Last year, Robinson once again finished second in the wicket-taking charts, as he took 63 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 16.44. He also took 14-135 (8-34 and 6-101) in a match against Middlesex.

Robinson has also played for the England Lions. His most notable performance came in February this year when he took match-winning figures of 7-147 against Australia A. His victims included Marcus Harris and Moises Henriques.

Challenges for Robinson?

In the immediate future, he faces stiff competition for a place in the England XI. James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran have all performed well in Test cricket recently; Robinson may have to wait for a start in international red-ball cricket.

Final word

Robinson’s record over the last two years is fabulous. His metronomic bowling is perfectly suited to English conditions and at only 26 he still arguably has his best years in front of him.