- June 22, 2023
Ollie Robinson a forgettable cricketer: Matthew Hayden
England’s Ollie Robinson reacts during day five of the first Ashes Test cricket match, at Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.
| Photo Credit: AP
Legendary Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has called England pacer Ollie Robinson a “forgettable cricketer”, while wicket-keeping great Ian Healy was dismissive of the 29-year-old quick, saying “Who, Ollie?”
Robinson was trolled for his expletive-laden sendoff of Usman Khawaja after he dismissed the Australian opener for 141 in the first innings of the Ashes opener at Edgbaston. However, in the second essay, he could not break the partnership between tail-enders Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon who chased down the target on the fifth day to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the series.
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Cummins remained unbeaten on 44, while Lyon scored 16 not out as Australia chased down the target of 282 for the loss of eight wickets. Hayden said that Robinson had shown Australia the way to combat England.
“That’s how you combat England as well. As soon as Pat Cummins started coming at Joe Root and hit a couple of sixes… then the other bloke [Robinson], he’s a forgettable cricketer,” Hayden said on Sen Radio on June 21.
“A fast bowler that is bowling 124 [kmph] and he’s got a mouth from the south,” said Hayden about Robinson, who refused to apologise for his foul-mouthed send-off to Khawaja.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Healy even refused to acknowledge Robinson’s existence, saying, “Who, Ollie Robinson?”
“Someone like him, you can just go, ‘Brother, I’m coming at ya’. Davey Warner can do that, right? He can just say, ‘You’re bowling 120km…’,” added Hayden.
The second Test will be played at Lord’s on June 28.
