Ollie Robinson insists he's '100 percent fit' for Old Trafford after back spasm
Ollie Robinson has declared himself "100 percent fit" for the fourth men's Ashes Test at Emirates Old Trafford, despite back spasms limiting him to 11.2 overs in England's win at Headingley.
Robinson left the field on the first afternoon, midway through an over, and did not return at the start of Australia's second innings on the second day, having batted in England's first innings. He did field on the third day but was not used with the ball, and was not required with the bat in England's run-chase.
"It was so frustrating to get that back spasm on day one," Robinson wrote in his Wisden.com column. "Normally, when I've had back spasms before, they've built up and I would feel it coming on. Whereas this was on landing, it was just a sudden, quick, stabbing feeling in the back.
"I told Stokesy [Ben Stokes], and he said to get off and see the physio. I think we caught it earlier than I have done in the past. I had some acupuncture, a bit of treatment, and I was fine after that. I was available to bowl on the third day if I'd been needed."
Robinson made 5 not out in a "surreal" first-innings partnership with Stokes that was worth 38 from 29 balls, and looked on as England's captain launched five sixes and one more four in a vital 80 from 109 balls that was crucial in reducing his team's deficit to a mere 26.
"I was on that many painkillers because of my back spasm the day before that I was kind of spaced out," Robinson wrote. "I was so relaxed, so calm."
He believes that the tight turnaround between the second and third Tests, and his heavy workload at Lord's - where he bowled 50.4 overs in the match - contributed to his back spasm, a problem that has arisen previously in his career.
"That medical team said that it's likely to have happened because I played back-to-back Test matches, and bowled 15 overs of bumpers at Lord's," he said. "So sometimes these things come around, but then they go just as quickly as well. I'm 100 percent fit for Manchester."
England have named Robinson in their 14-man squad for the Old Trafford Test - which starts on Wednesday, July 19 - and their main decision to make surrounds the identity of their fourth seamer, with Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood expected to retain their spots.
Robinson is likely to compete with James Anderson and Josh Tongue for the last spot, with Anderson insisting this week that "there is absolutely no chance nostalgia will come into selection" ahead of what will be his last opportunity to play an Ashes Test at his home ground.
England trail 2-1 heading into the final two Tests, but Robinson wrote that their performances and style of play have been vindicated by a growth in public support and interest. "I've got mates who have never really enjoyed cricket messaging me saying how good it is," Robinson wrote.
"It's an amazing thing to be a part of. It makes me proud to be English to be honest, to see the impact it's having on people, and seeing them loving what we're doing. In the end, that's why we play the game. For the glory of it."