Broad surprised by Robinson's England recall

Broad surprised by Robinson's England recallImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Stuart Broad played alongside Ollie Robinson before his retirement in 2023ByMarc HigginsonBBC Sport Senior JournalistPublished1 minute agoCommentsStuart Broad says he was surprised England decided to recall fast bowler Ollie Robinson for the first Test against New Zealand, which begins on 4 June.Robinson was dropped after the tour of India in 2024 but has been brought back into the squad for the Lord's match, England's first Test since a 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.The 32-year-old has a superb Test record, with 76 wickets at an average of 22.92 from his 20 matches.He has often struggled for fitness and was hit by back problems in each of his two most recent appearances – against India in Ranchi two years ago and against Australia at Headingley in 2023.However, with Jofra Archer unavailable until the second Test because of his Indian Premier League commitments, and with Mark Wood (knee) and Brydon Carse (broken wrist) ruled out through injury, England have turned to Robinson."I was a little bit surprised," said Broad, speaking on his For The Love of Cricket podcast., external"There must have been a turnaround – I think Robbo said at the start of the summer there'd been a bit of contact [with England]."I suppose the confusing thing for me is, if he's good enough to open the bowling on 4 June against New Zealand at Lord's, which he is – he's a brilliant bowler – why was he not at the Ashes?"He'd have bowled Australia out for 30 at the MCG with how much that pitch moved. It feels like a complete waste to not use him over the winter in Australia if suddenly he's now available and able to be used at Lord's."Robinson one of best bowlers in the world - KeyPublished13 MayGough questions England's appointment of NorthPublished1 day agoWhen Robinson was recalled, England director of cricket Rob Key said he l...