Agnew: Robinson's rhythmic bowling recalls McGrath's style
BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew praises England bowler Ollie Robinson's natural, rhythmic bowling action, comparing it to Glenn McGrath, after Robinson took 23 wickets in three matches this summer.
BBC Sport commentator Jonathan Agnew says his opinion of Ollie Robinson has not changed since the bowler's England debut five years ago, when he called him the most natural bowler he had seen. Despite being dropped and recalled multiple times since, Robinson remains, in Agnew's view, exceptionally gifted.
Agnew describes Robinson's action as "robotic" in a complimentary sense, drawing a comparison with Australian great Glenn McGrath, whose bowling was famously rhythmical and repetitive. Agnew notes that Robinson's wrist position and overall action are close to perfect.
At 32, Robinson has taken advantage of favourable conditions this summer, claiming 23 wickets in three matches following England's win in the second Test at Lord's. Whether he wants the ball to swing or seam, it has largely done what he asked, according to Agnew.
Beyond his bowling mechanics, Agnew highlights Robinson's tactical sharpness and ability to quickly identify a batsman's weaknesses. Many observers now suggest that captain Ben Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key were wrong to omit Robinson from last winter's Ashes squad in favour of faster bowlers.
A tactical shift has also helped Robinson's cause: wicketkeeper Jamie Smith now stands up to the stumps even against pace bowlers, a tactic inspired by Australia's Alex Carey during the Ashes. This allows Robinson to bowl fuller lengths, giving the ball more time to swing and increasing the chance of hitting the stumps. The approach depends on strong wicketkeeping, and Smith has visibly improved his glovework under coach Sarah Taylor's training drills.
Agnew says the next test for Robinson will be repeating his success on harder, flatter and hotter pitches, such as those expected during England's upcoming three-Test series in South Africa. England are reportedly working to help Robinson maintain a pace of around 82mph rather than dropping to 77-78mph as the game progresses. Agnew urges England not to break up the current four-man pace attack of Robinson, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue for the next Test at Edgbaston, calling it England's strongest attack.
