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'I thought I was never playing for England again': Ollie Robinson's emotional comeback after 4/10 spell at Lord's vs NZ

'I thought I was never playing for England again': Ollie Robinson's emotional comeback after 4/10 spell at Lord's vs NZ originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Ollie Robinson took four wickets on a stunning Lord's comeback.
He had feared his England career was finished just months ago.
New Zealand were reduced to 61-6 despite England's modest 140.

Ollie Robinson thought his England days were over, until a sensational comeback at Lord's

Ollie Robinson admitted that he had privately given up on ever pulling on an England shirt again during Christmas 2025.

However, on Thursday, he walked out at Lord's and produced one of the most sensational comeback performances in recent Test cricket memory, as he claimed three wickets in his very first over against New Zealand on Thursday afternoon.

At the end of the day's play, Robinson finished the opening day of the Test summer with figures of four wickets for just 10 runs from six overs, which is a brilliant return in any context, let alone for a player making his return after more than two years away from the international stage.

"At Christmas time, I thought I was never playing for England again. I was nowhere near ready to play or anywhere near where I am now as a person, as a cricketer,” Robinson said.

“It’s only been the last few months that I’ve got the enjoyment back for the game and knuckled down a bit more," he added.

How Ollie Robinson scripted an England comeback playing in Australia?

Robinson had been left out of the England side in 2024 after selectors raised concerns about his physical condition and his attitude towards the game.

However, while England were sliding to an Ashes defeat in Australia, a series that would eventually prompt a tactical and selection rethink, Robinson was also down under, though for very different reasons.

He spent time playing grade cricket for Sydney University, a move that gradually rekindled his love for the sport.

"I went to Australia and got the love of the game back. I’ve put in a lot of work over the last couple of months to get back to the bowler I want to be. I’m not the finished article by any means, but those [moments] definitely make it all worthwhile.”

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When the wickets began to fall, the Lord's crowd responded in kind, singing Robinson's name across the famous ground. He admitted the occasion momentarily overwhelmed him.

“There was a point where I couldn’t really hear it,” he said. “I was just on cloud nine, I suppose. My legs were numb, and I couldn’t hear anything.

"I was trying to calm myself down and focus on the moment, but I think after the second wicket that’s probably the loudest [noise] I’ve ever heard on a cricket field. Just an incredible day of Test match cricket, and an incredible feeling to be out there and do it for the team.”

However, Robinson was quick to keep his feet on the ground. Captain Ben Stokes had reminded him only last week that the hard graft ahead matters more than the headlines.

"Stokesy said to me last week 'great to have you back, but just know the hard work's still to be done', and that's what's constantly in my head at the moment," Robinson said.

"These days are what you play for. But, like I said, I've still got a lot of work to do, and it's just great to put the England shirt back on and be here."

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The Cricket News Opinion: The best kind of comeback story

Robinson admitted he was lost, went away, rebuilt himself quietly, and came back ready.

He put in the hard work behind the scenes with honesty, and now cricket has rewarded him with a magnificent comeback spell.

Whether he can sustain it across a full series is another matter, but Thursday at Lord's felt like a reminder that sometimes the players who disappear and come back changed are worth waiting for.

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