Pacer Robinson, all-rounder Woakes eyeing England comeback after long injury lay off

The England Test team is currently witnessing a resurgence under their new skipper Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. Even though they have had a wonderful test series against New Zealand, wherein they emerged triumphant by 3-0, the list of key players afflicted by injury has been a long one which includes the likes of Pacers Ollie Robinson, Saqib Mahmood, Olly Stone and pace bowling all-rounders Sam Curran and Chris Woakes. 

Among them, Robinson in particular, has had a particularly bad time. The past few months haven't been kind to him as an injury-marred his season, an emergency dental surgery and COVID-19, limiting his return to competitive cricket to just two County Championship matches before he suffered another breakdown. However, now he's eyeing a comeback in the longest format of the game. 

Robinson could be in contention for a spot in the Test squad to be announced for the three-match series against South Africa, which begins in mid-August. This comes after the 28-year-old missed the three-Test series against the West Indies due to back spasms. Robinson last featured in an international fixture in the Ashes, following which he missed the Caribbean tour. 

A report in Daily Mail said that his back scans have "proved inconclusive" and Robinson is "targeting the Division Two fixture against Middlesex on July 19 as a competitive comeback". 

The report added that all-rounder Chris Woakes is also eyeing a return to the side, targeting the limited-overs fixtures in July. Woakes was sidelined from the series against New Zealand because of bone bruising in his knee during the three-Test away fixture in the West Indies. 

The 33-year-old has a superb Test record in English conditions and has claimed 94 wickets in 25 appearances at 22.63 runs apiece. He has also chipped in with key contributions in hand as well in crunch situations. He will be playing for Warwickshire's second XI this week.