Robinson will replace Matt Potts in England’s only change for the Old Trafford Test, starting Thursday, in the wake of an innings defeat to the Proteas at Lord’s at Lord’s.
Ollie Robinson was England’s leading wicket-taker in his first summer of Test cricket last year with 28, but his conditioning was publicly criticized by bowling coach John Lewis during the Ashes tour.
Robinson missed the subsequent three-match Test series for the West Indies due to a back spasm and a variety of unrelated issues led to a disrupted start to the home season.
Stokes said he called Robinson “exactly where I stand” in conversations with the pacer, adding: “It enabled him to go away and work on what he was told. All I can say is I’m sure he did it perfectly.”
Robinson got through a four-day tour match for the England Lions against South Africa – essentially the national team’s reserve side – and has done enough to replace Potts, who is particularly known for the Proteas’ left-handers. Against failed to make a mark at Lord’s.
“I think it’s obviously been a very difficult time for Ollie because it wasn’t like his form was letting him down. It was his body,” Stokes said. “It’s obviously a lot to deal with. That’s a tough thing.”
Stokes said Robinson was preferred because his height and high release were likely to extract more bounce from the traditionally lively surface in Manchester.
Potts may consider himself unlucky. His excellent early season form with Durham – where he is Stokes’ teammate – earned him a Test debut and he secured three straight wins over New Zealand and another against India.
Stokes said, “It is very difficult for Matty to miss, but in the five matches he has played, he has taken himself with a lot of promise from a county cricketer and has really announced himself on the big stage.”
With no other opener in the team, Zak Crowley was retained in the squad, but he would go into the match with pressure firmly on him, his average falling to 16.40 in 10 Test innings this summer. South Africa have not yet announced their squad for the second Test.