England seamer Ollie Robinson has continued on his terrific start to Test cricket, and now the pacer has once again brought his bowling average to below 20 with a superb 5-for against South Africa on Day 3 – which is effectively the first day – of the third Test, at The Oval.
The first day of this Test was washed out after the toss had happened where Ben Stokes chose to bowl first. The second day was then cancelled in the wake of the passing away of Queen Elizabeth II.
This meant that to win this 3-day Oval Test, and the series which stands 1-1 after two matches, England needed a quick-fire start with the ball. Their seamers took in the note and bundled the visitors out for 118 in 36.2 overs to gain a dominating hand in the game and have the opportunity to force the issue with the bat.
Ollie Robinson takes his career’s third five-for
Robinson, who had taken four wickets in the second innings of the victorious Manchester Test, struck straightaway in his first over, castling South African skipper, Dean Elgar, the flesh in the thorn for England in the series so far.
As James Anderson dismissed the other opener, Sarel Erwee, Robinson nipped out the in-form number 3 Protea batter, Keegan Petersen. Stuart Broad joined in the action with the wicket of Ryan Rickelton, and Robinson concluded his opening spell with two more scalps – wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder; Robinson’s opening spell read: 6-3-14-4.
Khaya Zondo and Marco Jansen survived till lunch, after which, though Broad struck with Zondo’s wicket. Given the ball again, Robinson forced an outside edge from Jansen to complete his third five-wicket haul in 20 Test innings, registering his best bowling figures of 5/49. Broad cleaned up the last couple of wickets as South Africa were bowled out for 118.
Ollie Robinson now has 49 wickets in 11 Tests at an outstanding bowling average of 19.8 – to put this in context, only 14 bowlers ever have a better bowling average than Robinson’s for those who have taken a minimum of 40 Test wickets.
Netizens were impressed and eulogised Ollie Robinson’s exceptional bowling performance.
Here are some of the reactions of fans on Robinson’s five-for:
RIP Queen Elizabeth you would have loved Ollie Robinson’s first three overs this morning ❤️👑 #ENGvSA
— Tom Head (@WiggumCharm) September 10, 2022
This summer proving that the England cricket team should only ever pick -sons as pace bowlers. Anderson, Robinson, Chris Broad’s son.
— Jon H (@127J_H) September 10, 2022
All I’m saying is that since Ollie Robinson was presented with his leather-bound @WisdenAlmanack before the start of the third day in Manchester, he has taken eight for 42.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 10, 2022
Ollie Robinson is bowling faster and more accurately than ever: one of the best pieces of news for England this Test summer
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) September 10, 2022
South Africa bowled out for just 118 in the first innings against England. Ollie Robinson the star with 5 wickets.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 10, 2022
Three five-wicket hauls in Test cricket for Ollie Robinson – a masterful display from the Sussex quick. #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/gr61Y03IAL
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 10, 2022
Since 1940 only four English bowlers have more test wickets at a better average than Robinson.
Duggan- 77 at 13.49
Bakewell- 50 at 16.62
Tyson- 76 at 18.56
Wardle- 102 at 20.39
Robinson- 45 at 20.46He is so good
— James McCaghrey (@McLovinstatto) September 10, 2022
What a delivery by Ollie Robinson to clean up Dean Elgar. Through the gates, no chance!
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) September 10, 2022
Robinson is in the middle of one of the best spells I’ve seen in England. Combination of accuracy, movement and pressure – South Africa have no answer. #ENGvSA
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 10, 2022
Ollie Robinson has taken better Test bowling figures at The Oval this morning than Jimmy Anderson has managed in 15 Tests across 19 years
— Mark Puttick (@GryllidaeC) September 10, 2022
Can’t knock England management this summer regarding the bowling & what it had to work with . Robinson was clearly their choice over Potts and once Ollie got fit he was back in . Nothing against Potts & his performances early #ENGvsSA #englandcricket
— John Wright (@johnwright15) September 10, 2022
