For so long, it looked as though Robinson would never play for England again, certainly under this regime.
England explained his exile on grounds of conditioning, on a tendency to lose pace or hobble out of matches altogether. His skills were not in doubt – Robinson averaged less than 23 with the ball in his 20 previous Tests.
Humbled in Australia and in need of an attack leader, England returned to the 32-year-old. Robinson has benefitted from being given the captaincy at Sussex and admitted he has matured. If England had him bowling like this in Australia, how different might the Ashes have been?
Bowling the second over of the innings, Robinson found movement down the Lord’s slope, into left-hander Conway. After two balls, captain Stokes posted a short leg and Conway instantly played all around a full ball. Robinson roared with delight, while Conway was disgruntled to see the review showing the ball clipping leg stump.
Robinson’s length was immaculate. Facing his second ball, Williamson failed to get far enough forward, looping the catch to debutant Emilio Gay at short leg. Ravindra, another left-hander, was pinned by another nip-backer. The noise was deafening.
At 2-3, New Zealand were in disarray. Captain Tom Latham could have been run out by Stokes before he was lbw, getting only half-forward to Atkinson. Robinson showed his full array of skills to find seam movement up the slope, bowling Mitchell, who offered no shot.
When the pacey Tongue castled Tom Blundell, New Zealand were in danger of being dismissed before the close. Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 31, supported by Nathan Smith, somehow got them through without further loss.
